3/17/2019 Composition of Functions
Composition of Functions
Advanced
"Function Composition" is applying one function to the results of another:
f( ) g( )
The result of f() is sent through g()
It is written: (g º f)(x)
Which means: g(f(x))
Example: f(x) = 2x+3 and g(x) = x2
"x" is just a placeholder. To avoid confusion let's just call it "input":
f(input) = 2(input)+3
g(input) = (input)2
Let's start:
(g º f)(x) = g(f(x))
First we apply f, then apply g to that result:
2
x 2x+3 (2x+3)
2
2(input)+3 (input)
(g º f)(x) = (2x+3)2
What if we reverse the order of f and g?
(f º g)(x) = f(g(x))
First we apply g, then apply f to that result:
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x x2 2x 2 +3
2
(input) 2(input)+3
(f º g)(x) = 2x2+3
We get a different result!
When we reverse the order the result is rarely the same.
So be careful which function comes first.
Symbol
The symbol for composition is a small circle:
(g º f)(x)
It is not a filled in dot: (g · f)(x), as that means multiply.
Composed With Itself
We can even compose a function with itself!
Example: f(x) = 2x+3
(f º f)(x) = f(f(x))
First we apply f, then apply f to that result:
x 2x+3 2(2x+3)+3
2(input)+3 2(input)+3
(f º f)(x) = 2(2x+3)+3 = 4x + 9
We should be able to do it without the pretty diagram:
(f º f)(x) = f(f(x))
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= f(2x+3)
= 2(2x+3)+3
= 4x + 9
Domains
It has been easy so far, but now we must consider the Domains of the functions.
f(x) The domain is the set of all the values that go into
a function.
Range The function must work for all values we give it, so it
is up to us to make sure we get the domain correct!
Domain x
Example: the domain for √x (the square root of x)
We can't have the square root of a negative number (unless we use imaginary numbers,
but we aren't), so we must exclude negative numbers:
The Domain of √x is all non-negative Real Numbers
On the Number Line it looks like:
Using set-builder notation it is written:
{x | x ≥ 0}
Or using interval notation it is:
[0,+∞)
It is important to get the Domain right, or we will get bad results!
Domain of Composite Function
We must get both Domains right (the composed function and the first function used).
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When doing, for example, (g º f)(x) = g(f(x)):
Make sure we get the Domain for f(x) right,
Then also make sure that g(x) gets the correct Domain
Example: f(x) = √x and g(x) = x2
The Domain of f(x) = √x is all non-negative Real Numbers
The Domain of g(x) = x2 is all the Real Numbers
The composed function is:
(g º f)(x) = g(f(x))
= (√x)2
=x
Now, "x" normally has the Domain of all Real Numbers ...
... but because it is a composed function we must also consider f(x),
So the Domain is all non-negative Real Numbers
Why Both Domains?
Well, imagine the functions are machines ... the first one melts a hole with a flame (only for
metal), the second one drills the hole a little bigger (works on wood or metal):
g f
f( ) g( )
Metal Only Wood or Metal
What we see at the end is a drilled hole, and we may think "that
should work for wood or metal".
But if we put wood into g º f then the first function f will make a
fire and burn everything down!
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So what happens "inside the machine" is important.
De-Composing Function
We can go the other way and break up a function into a composition of other functions.
Example: (x+1/x)2
That function can be made from these two functions:
f(x) = x + 1/x
g(x) = x2
And we get:
(g º f)(x) = g(f(x))
= g(x + 1/x)
= (x + 1/x)2
This can be useful if the original function is too complicated to work on.
Summary
"Function Composition" is applying one function to the results of another.
(g º f)(x) = g(f(x)), first apply f(), then apply g()
We must also respect the domain of the first function
Some functions can be de-composed into two (or more) simpler functions.
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Question 7 Question 8 Question 9 Question 10
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