COMPOSITE FUNCTION

A composite function is a function that is made by combining two functions — where the output of one function becomes the
input of the other.

Definition.
Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions.
The composite function denoted by 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 is defined by

𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) =
𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)).

The process of obtaining a composite function is called function composition.

For Examples 1 – 4, use the following functions:

2 x +1
f ( x )=2 x +1 g ( x )=√ x+1 p ( x )=
x−1
2
q ( x )=x −2 x +2 v ( x )=⌊ x ⌋ +1

Example 1: Find and simplify (g ⃘ f )(x)

Solution: ( g ⃘ f ) ( x )=g ( f ( x ) )= √(2 x +1)+ 1=√ 2 x +2

Example 2: Find and simplify (q ⃘ f )(x )

Solution: ( q ⃘ f )( x )=q ( f ( x ) )= ( 2 x +1 )2−2 ( 2 x +1 ) +2

¿ ( 4 x 2+ 4 x +1 )−4 x−2+2
2
¿ 4 x +1
Example 3: Find∧simplify(f ⃘ p)(x )

( f ⃘ p ) ( x )=f ( p ( x ) )=2 ( 2x−1 )+1= 4x−1

x+ 1 x +2 ( 4 x +2 ) +(x−1) 5 x+ 1
Solution: +1= =
x−1 x−1
Example 4: Find∧simplify(v ⃘ p)(5)

( v ⃘ p ) (5 )=v ( p ( 5 ) ) =⌊
2(5)+1 11
Solution: ⌋ +1=⌊ ⌋ +1=2+1=3
5−1 4
Example 5: Find∧simplify( p ⃘ f )(x )

( p ⃘ f ) ( x )=p ( f ( x ) )=
2(2 x+1)+1 4 x+ 2+ 1 4 x +3 4x 3 3
Solution: = = or + =2+
(2 x+1)−1 2 x +1−1 2x 2x 2x 2x
Above discussion was all about key concept of functions. It is very important to know the basics in every
lesson, which is why we need to know the key concepts of functions to better understand the topic. This can be
compared in our relationship with God. Before we can fully serve and follow Him, we must know His first and
greatest commandment that is written in Matthew 22:37-38 “Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

PROBLEMS INVOLVING FUNCTIONS

Example 1

shirt is given by 𝒑(𝒙) = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 – 𝟓𝒙, for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 20. Find (𝑁 · 𝑝) (𝑥) and describe what it
Suppose that 𝑁(𝑥) = 𝑥 denotes the number of shirts sold by a shop, and the selling price per

represents.

(𝑁 · 𝑝) (𝑥) =N(𝑥) · 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑥 (𝟐𝟓𝟎 – 𝟓𝒙) = 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝒙 − 𝟓𝒙𝟐, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 20. Since this function is the
Solution:

product of the quantity sold and the selling price, then (𝑁 · 𝑝)(𝑥) represents the revenue
earned by the company.
Example 2
 4 3
A spherical balloon is being inflated. Let r ( t )=3 t cm represent its radius at time t seconds, and let g ( r )= πr be
the volume of the same balloon if its radius is r . Write (g ⃘ r) in terms of t , and describe what it represents.
3

( g ⃘ r )( t )=g ( r ( t ) )= π (3 t)3= π (27 t ¿¿ 3)= ¿ · 27 π t 3=

4 4 4 108 3 3
Solution: π t =36 π t .
3 3 3 3
This function represents the volume of the balloon at time t seconds.

Example 9: Find and simplify 𝑓 ○ 𝑝 (𝑥)

Solution:

2𝑥 +
𝑓 ○ 𝑝 (𝑥) = 2 (1 )+1
𝑥−
1
(4𝑥 + 2) + (𝑥 − 1)
= 5𝑥 + 1
= 𝑥−1
𝑥−1
Example 10: Find and simplify 𝐹 ○ 𝑝 (5)
 Solution:

Above discussion was all about key concept of functions. It is very important
to know the basics in every lesson, which is why we need to know the key
concepts of functions to better understand the topic. This can be compared in our
relationship with God. Before we can fully serve and follow Him, we must know
His first and greatest commandment that is written in Matthew 22:37-38 “Jesus
replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind.”

20
PROBLEMS INVOLVING FUNCTIONS

Example 11

Suppose that 𝑁(𝑥) = 𝑥 denotes the number of shirts sold by a shop, and
the selling price per shirt is given by 𝒑(𝒙) = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 – 𝟓𝒙, for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 20.
Find (𝑁 ● 𝑝)(𝑥) and describe what it represents.

Solution:

(𝑁 ● 𝑝)(𝑥) = (𝑥)●𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑥 (𝟐𝟓𝟎 – 𝟓𝒙) = 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝒙 − 𝟓𝒙𝟐, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 20.

(𝑁 ● 𝑝)(𝑥) represents the revenue earned by the company.

Since this function is the product of the quantity sold and the selling price, then

Example 12

A spherical balloon is being inflated. Let (𝑡) = 3𝑡 cm represent its radius at

time 𝑡 seconds, and let 𝑔(𝑟) =
4
3
𝜋𝑟
be the volume of the same balloon if its
3
radius is 𝑟. Write (𝑔 ○ 𝑟) in terms of 𝑡, and describe what it represents.

Solution:

(𝑔 ○ 𝑟) = ((𝑡) = 𝜋𝑟(3𝑡)3 = 𝜋(27𝑡3) = 36𝜋𝑡3.

4 4
This
3 3
function represents the volume of the balloon at time t
seconds.
 c) Evaluate the following composition of
functions. Given :
(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1
(𝑥) = 5𝑥2
ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 +
3
1. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥)
2. (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥)
3. (ℎ ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥)
4. (𝑓 ∘ ℎ)(𝑥)

d) Suppose that (𝑥) = 𝑥 denotes the number of bags sold by a shop, and the
selling price per bag is given by (𝑥) = 320 – 8𝑥, for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 10. Suppose
further that the cost of producing x bags is given by (𝑥) = 200𝑥. Find
1. (𝑁 ● 𝑝)(𝑥) and
2. (𝑁 ● 𝑝 – 𝐶)(𝑥).
What do these functions represent?

Application

Let x represent the regular price of a book.

1. Give a function 𝑓 that represents the price of the book if a P100

2. Give a function 𝑔 that represents the price of the book if a 10%

price reduction applies.

3. Compute (𝑓 ○ 𝑔)(𝑥) and (𝑔 ○ 𝑓)(𝑥). Describe what these means.

discount applies.

Which of these give a better deal for the customer?

Process questions:

1. What information would help you solve the given problem?

2. What property can be used to solve the problem and why?
3. Show your solution and justification.
4. How can challenging problems involving functions be analyzed and solved?
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Generalization

You encountered a lot of concepts related to functions. Now it’s time to pause for a while and
reflect to your learning process by doing the 3-2-1 Chart.

What are the 3 most important things you learned?

What are the two things you are not sure about?

What is 1 thing you want to clarify immediately?

Let us summarize…

Key Concepts

 A function is a set of ordered pairs (x,y) such that no two ordered pairs have
the same x-value but different y-values. Using functional notation, we can
write f(x) = y, read as “f of x is equal to y.”

 A function can be presented in the following ways: as a set of ordered

pairs, as a rule or equation, as a table of values, as a mapping diagram
(one -to- one, many-to-one), and through graphs.
 To check whether a graph represents a function, the vertical-line test
is applied.
 A piece-wise function is a function that contains several expressions
depending on restrictions of values the unknown variable will take on in
a certain situatio

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 The composition of the function “ 𝑓 𝑜𝑓 𝑔 ” is defined as follows:
(𝑓  𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)). This means that (𝑥) is composed of the function


𝑔(𝑥). In other words, the variable 𝑥 in (𝑥) will take on the value of (𝑥).

 In solving composite functions, it is important to apply the GEMDAS principle.

 Real-life problems/scenarios could be represented by functions.

POSTTEST
Let us check how much you have learned about functions.

Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer and write this on your answer sheet.

1. Given (𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 5 & (𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 4, solve for 𝑔 ○ 𝑓(𝑥).

a. 11 − 6𝑥 c. 6𝑥 − 11
b. 6𝑥2 − 7𝑥 − 20 d. 6𝑥2 − 23𝑥 − 20

2. Given 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 7, what is (−2)?

a. 1 c. -13
b. -1 d. 13

3. The composite function denoted by 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 is defined by.

a. 𝑓 ○ (𝑥) = (𝑔(𝑥)) c. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)●𝑔(𝑥)
b. 𝑓 ○ (𝑥) = (𝑓(𝑥)) d. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥)●𝑓(𝑥)

4. It is a set of ordered pairs (𝑥, 𝑦) such that no two ordered pairs have the same
x- value but different y-value

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 REFERENCES

General Mathematics pg. 1-20

Department of Education Teachers Materials

Math is Fun

[Link]

Ronie Banan, June 30, 2018

[Link]

MathEase, September 1, 2014

[Link]

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