Find the compositions of these functions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter thereddevils
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Functions
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the composition of two functions, f(x) = x^2 + 3 and g(x) = |x| - 5. Participants are exploring the properties of the composition gf(x) and its range in relation to g(x).

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning whether the range of gf(x) is the same as the range of g(x) and discussing the implications of the ranges being different. There are inquiries about the relationship between the domains of f and gf.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and counterexamples regarding the ranges and domains of the functions involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the conditions under which the composition is defined.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions about the ranges of the functions and their implications for the composition, as well as the requirement that the range of f must be a subset of the domain of g for the composition to be valid.

thereddevils
Messages
436
Reaction score
0
Given two functions , f(x)=x^2+3 , where x is real , g(x)=|x|-5 , x is real , find gf(x).

i found gf(x)=x^2-2

is it true that the range of gf(x) is the same as the range of g(x) ? If so,

the range of g(x) is [-5 , infinity) and the range of gf(x) is [-2 , infinity)

why arent they the same ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org


I think everything is correct, why would you think the range of g(f(x)) is the same as the range of g(x)?
 


I'll pose the reverse question: why should they be the same? g(x) and gf(x) are different functions.
 


Take a look at the diagram i attached . Isn't that the image of gf(x) the same as the image function g(x) ?
 


The range of [itex]f[/itex] needn't be the whole of the domain of [itex]g[/itex] so some of the images under [itex]g[/itex] may not occur in [itex]gf[/itex]. You only have [itex]range(gf)\subseteq range(g)[/itex]. In fact you could say they're not equal because you have yourself provided a counterexample.
 


Martin Rattigan said:
The range of [itex]f[/itex] needn't be the whole of the domain of [itex]g[/itex] so some of the images under [itex]g[/itex] may not occur in [itex]gf[/itex]. You only have [itex]range(gf)\subseteq range(g)[/itex]. In fact you could say they're not equal because you have yourself provided a counterexample.

thanks Martin , how about the domains , is the domain of f(x) the same as domain gf(x) because both of them started from the same set or it needn't also be the same in this case.
 


Yes, [itex]dom(gf)=dom(f)[/itex], assuming you only define the composition [itex]gf[/itex] when [itex]range(f)\subseteq dom(g)[/itex].
 


Martin Rattigan said:
Yes, [itex]dom(gf)=dom(f)[/itex], assuming you only define the composition [itex]gf[/itex] when [itex]range(f)\subseteq dom(g)[/itex].

thanks again Martin !
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
4K