Help with Understanding Composite Functions

  • Thread starter Thread starter frozenbananas
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Composite Functions
AI Thread Summary
Composite functions involve taking the output of one function and using it as the input for another, specifically expressed as f(g(x)). The confusion often arises between composite functions and multiplication of functions; they are distinct operations. For example, if g(x) = x + x^2 and f(x) = 2x, then the composition f(g(x)) results in f(g(x)) = 2(x + x^2). Understanding that the output of g(x) becomes the input for f is crucial for correctly determining the composite function. Clarifying these concepts helps in accurately finding the domain and evaluating composite functions.
frozenbananas
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



posted in title

Homework Equations



none

The Attempt at a Solution


f+g would be

(2x^2+1) + (x-1) = 2x^2 + x so the domain for f+g is all real numbers but i don't know how to find the one for the composite. i am still confused as to what a composite function is, please help me! thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org


composition of f&g is nothing but f o g which is the same as fg or f(g(x)).

So take the entire g(x) and put it wherever you see 'x' in f.
 


the composite is simply g then? or is it f(x) multiplied by g(x)?
 


frozenbananas said:
the composite is simply g then? or is it f(x) multiplied by g(x)?

As rock.freak said, it is f(g(x)), not g(x). 'x' is the input to g and then the output g(x) becomes the input to f. It is different to multiplying.

As an example: If g(x)=x+x^2 and f(x)=2x, then the composition gf(x) = 2x + (2x)^2
 
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...

Similar threads

Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
23
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
2K
Back
Top