Operations on Functions

A. Sum and Difference of Functions

If f and g are functions with domains 𝐷𝑓 and 𝐷𝑔 , respectively, their sum is the function defined as

(𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)

And their difference is defined as

(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)

Example:
Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 6. Find:

a. (𝒇 + 𝒈)(𝒙) b. (𝒇 − 𝒈)(𝒙)

Solution:

To add functions, you just need to add the given functions and simplify its result.

a. (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) Always start with definition of addition of

functions.
(𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = (3𝑥 − 2) + (𝑥 2 + 6) Substitute the value of each corresponding
functions on the equation.
(𝒇 + 𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟒 Simplify the equation.

b. (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥) Always start with definition of difference of

functions.
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = (3𝑥 − 2) − (𝑥 2 + 6) Substitute the value of each corresponding
functions on the equation.
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 − 𝑥 2 − 6 Simplify the equation.
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 8
(𝒇 − 𝒈)(𝒙) = −(𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟖)

B. Product of Functions

If f and g are functions with domains 𝐷𝑓 and 𝐷𝑔 , respectively, their product is the function
defined by (𝑓 ⋅ 𝑔)(𝑥) = (𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)

Example:

1. Let: 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 6. Find (𝒇 ∙ 𝒈)(𝒙).

Solution:

(𝑓 ⋅ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) ∙𝑔(𝑥) Always start with definition of product of

functions.
 (𝑓 ⋅ 𝑔)(𝑥) = (3𝑥 − 2 ) ∙ (𝑥 2 + 6) Substitute the value of each corresponding
functions on the equation.

(𝒇 ⋅ 𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝟑𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟖𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐 Simplify the equation by using foil method.

On your notebook, try to answer the example problem below. Show your complete solution.
1
2. Let 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 2 and ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3. Find (𝒈 ∙ 𝒉)(𝒙).
𝟏𝟑 𝟑
Answer: (𝒈 ∙ 𝒉)(𝒙) = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐
𝒙+𝟐

C. Quotient of Functions

If f and g are functions with domains 𝐷𝑓 and 𝐷𝑔 , respectively, excluding the values of 𝐷𝑔 that
will make g(x) zero, their quotient is the function defined as

𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
(𝑥) =
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥)

Example:

𝒇
Let: 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 27 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 6𝑥 + 9. Find ( ) (𝒙)
𝒈

Solution:

𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
(𝑥) = Always start with definition of quotient of
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥)
functions.

𝑓 3𝑥 2 +27
(𝑥) = Substitute the value of each corresponding
𝑔 6𝑥+9
functions on the equation.

𝑓 3(𝑥 2 +9)
(𝑥) = Simplify the equation.
𝑔 3(2𝑥+3)

𝒇 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟗
(𝒙) =
𝒈 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑