Composition of Functions - Application Problems 

 
Basic Practice: ​Let f(x) = 2x – 1, g(x) = 3x, and h(x) = x​2​ + 1. Compute the following. 
 
1. f(g(x)) 2. f(h(x)) 3. g(h(x)) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. f(g(-3)) 5. f(h(7)) 6. g(h(0)) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Problem A:​ In the mail, you receive a coupon for $5 off of a pair of jeans. When you arrive at the store, you find 
that all jeans are 25% off. 
 
Let x represent the original cost of the jeans. 
 
1. Write a function, f(x), that represents the price of the jeans after you use the original coupon. 
 
 
 
2. Write a function, g(x), that represents the price of the jeans after the 25% discount at the store. 
 
 
 
3. Write a function, h(x), that represents how much you would pay if you use the mail coupon first followed 
by applying the discount from the store. 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Write a function, j(x), that represents how much you would pay if you use the store discount first, followed 
by the mail coupon. 
 
 
 
 
 
5. You find a pair of jeans for $36. How much would you pay for it using both functions h(x) and j(x).  
 
 
 
 
6. If you only have $40 with you, what’s the most expensive pair of jeans you can purchase? 
 
 
 
 
7. Will you get a lower final price for a pair of jeans if you 1) use the store discount first and then your 
coupon or 2) use your coupon and then the store discount? Explain.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Problem B: ​A small circular puddle begins to form on the road as it rains. The longer it rains, the more water fills 
the puddle, making it grow bigger and bigger. Every minute, the radius of the puddle grows 0.2 inches.  
 
1. Write a function, r(t), that represents the radius of the puddle every minute it rains (t).  
 
 
 
 
2. Write a function, A(r), that represents the area of the circular puddle based on its radius (r). 
 
 
 
 
3. Write the composite function, A(r(t)), that represents the area of the puddle.  
 
 
 
 
4. After 10 minutes, what is the area of the puddle?