Precalculus Study Guide
Copyright Maplesoft, a division of Waterloo Maple Inc., 2024
Chapter 5: The Arithmetic of Functions
Introduction
In this chapter, the arithmetic of functions will be explored. Two functions f⁡x and g⁡x having a common domain can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided, to form new functions
h1⁡x=f⁡x+g⁡x
h2⁡x=f⁡x−g⁡x
h3⁡x=f⁡x⁢g⁡x
h4⁡x=f⁡xg⁡x
Our notation expresses the value of the functions at x, and thereby emphasizes the pointwise definitions used for the arithmetic of functions.
To prescribe one of the functions hk⁡x, we have to prescribe the recipe by which the values of hk⁡x are to be computed. The notation shows, for example, that the value of h1⁡x is simply the sum of the two numbers f⁡x and g⁡x. This is the recipe at each point x in the common domains of f⁡x and g⁡x.
Similarly for the functions h2⁡x and h3⁡x. The only difficulty encountered in defining h4⁡x is at zeros of g⁡x where the fraction f⁡xg⁡x would fail to be defined. Thus, the domains for hk⁡x,k=1,2,3, will be the same as the common domain of f⁡x and g⁡x, but the domain of h4⁡x can be smaller.
The domain of hk⁡x,k=1,...,4, cannot be larger than the common domain of f⁡x and g⁡x. For example, suppose the functions
f⁡x=1+1x
and
g⁡x=2−1x
are added. The rule for the sum would clearly be h⁡x=3, but the domain would not be all real numbers since the common domain for f⁡x and g⁡x was all the reals with the exception of x=0. That would still be the domain of the sum h⁡x.
Chapter Glossary
The following terms in Chapter 5 are linked to the Maple Math Dictionary.
axis of symmetry
domain
intercept
interval
midpoint
parabola
quadratic formula
quotient
range
real number
zero
Typical Problems
Let f⁡x=2⁢x+1 and g⁡x=x2+x−1 be the rules for two functions whose common domain is the set of all real numbers. In Problems 5.1 - 5.4, obtain the indicated arithmetic expression for the function h⁡x, draw its graph, and determine its domain and range. In addition, compute h⁡3 and show that this value can also be obtained from the appropriate combination of the numbers f⁡3 and g⁡3.
5.1. h⁡x=f⁡x+g⁡x
5.2. h⁡x=f⁡x−g⁡x
5.3. h⁡x=f⁡x⁢g⁡x
5.4. h⁡x=f⁡xg⁡x
Maple Initializations
Before accessing the Maple version of the solutions to the typical problems stated above, initialize Maple by pressing the button provided on the right.
Solutions
Problem 5.1
5.1 - Mathematical Solution
If f⁡x=2⁢x+1, and g⁡x=x2+x−1, with all the reals as the common domain, then the rule for h⁡x=f⁡x+g⁡x is given by
h⁡x=x2+3⁢x
and its graph is given in Figure 5.1.1.
The domain for h⁡x is again the set of all real numbers, while the range is the set of real numbers y for which y>−94. One way to determine the minimum value of y in the range of h⁡x is to find the axis of symmetry for the parabola that is the graph of h⁡x.
Figure 5.1.1 Graph of h⁡x=x2+3⁢x
This axis of symmetry is midway between the x-intercepts, namely, x=0 and x=−3. Hence, the axis of symmetry is y=−32, and the vertex of the parabola is the point ⁡−32,h⁡−32=⁡−32,−94.
Since f⁡3=7 and g⁡3=11, we have h⁡3=18 = 7+11, so h⁡3=f⁡3+g⁡3.
5.1 - Maplet Solution
The arithmetic sum of the functions
f⁡x=2⁢x+1
g⁡x=x2+x−1
namely
h⁡x=f⁡x+g⁡x
as well as its graph, its domain and range, and the function values h⁡3,f⁡3, and g⁡3 are provided by the Arithmetic of Functions tutor.
Clicking this link will launch the tutor with the solution embedded as shown in the thumbnail image in Figure 5.1.2.
Note: When entering an expression in a tutor window, use * for multiplication. Thus, for this example f(x) is entered as 2*x+1.
Figure 5.1.2 Thumbnail image of the Arithmetic of Functions Tutor
The rule for the sum is
From the graph of h⁡x, we deduce that the domain is the set of all real numbers, and the range is the set of real numbers y greater than or equal to −94. One way to determine the minimum value of y in the range of h⁡x is to find the axis of symmetry for the parabola that is the graph of h⁡x. This axis of symmetry is midway between the x-intercepts, namely, x=0 and x=−3. Hence, the axis of symmetry is y=−32, and the vertex of the parabola is the point ⁡−32,h⁡−32=⁡−32,−94.
We can also see that because f⁡3=7 and g⁡3=11,
h⁡3=18 = 7+11
To launch the Arithmetic of Functions Tutor, click the following link: Arithmetic of Functions Tutor
5.1 - Interactive Solution
Enter the given data
Control-drag the equation fx=…
Context Panel: Assign Function
Control-drag the equation gx=…
Type hx=fx+gx
Graph hx
Type hx and press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Plots≻Plot Builder≻ −4≤x≤2
RANGE: Determine the minimum of hx
Context Panel: Complete Square≻x
Show h3=f3+g3
Type hx
Context Panel: Evaluate and Display Inline
Type f3
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻f3
Type g3
Context Panel: Assign to a Name≻g3
Type f3+g3
5.1 - Programmatic Solution
Enter the functions fx and gx.
f≔x→2 x+1;g≔x→x2+x−1
Define the function hx=fx+gx.
h≔unapplyfx+gx,x
Graph hx.
plothx,x=−4..2,y=−3..3
Obtain the x-intercepts of hx.
solvehx=0,x
Obtain the vertex of the parabola represented by hx by evaluating hx at the x-coordinate midway between the two x-intercepts,
h−32
From the graph of hx, it should be clear that the domain is the set of all real numbers, and the range is the set of all reals from the vertex of the parabola up. Thus, the range is the set of reals y for which y≥−94.
Obtain the value h3.
h3
Compute both f3 and g3.
F3≔f3;G3≔g3
Show that the sum of f3 and g3 is h3.
F3+G3
Problem 5.2
5.2 - Mathematical Solution
If f⁡x=2⁢x+1, and g⁡x=x2+x−1, with all the reals as the common domain, then the rule for h⁡x=f⁡x−g⁡x is given by
h⁡x=2+x−x2
and its graph is given in Figure 5.2.1.
The domain for h⁡x is again the set of all real numbers, while the range is the set of real numbers y for which y≤94 . One way to determine the maximum value of y in the range of h⁡x is to find the axis of symmetry for the parabola that is the graph of h⁡x.
Figure 5.2.1 Graph of h⁡x=2+x−x2
This axis of symmetry is midway between the x-intercepts, namely, x=−1 and x=2. Hence, the axis of symmetry is y=12, and the vertex of the parabola is the point ⁡12,h⁡12=⁡12,94.
Since f⁡3=7 and g⁡3=11, we have h⁡3=−4 = 7−11, so h⁡3=f⁡3−g⁡3.
5.2 - Maplet Solution
The arithmetic difference of the functions
namely,
h⁡x=f⁡x−g⁡x
Clicking this link will launch the tutor with the solution embedded as shown in the thumbnail image in Figure 5.2.2.
The rule for the difference is
Figure 5.2.2 Thumbnail image of the Arithmetic of Functions Tutor
h⁡x=−x2+x+2
From the graph of h⁡x, we deduce that the domain is the set of all real numbers, while the range is the set of real numbers y for which y≤94. One way to determine the maximum value of y in the range of h⁡x is to find the axis of symmetry for the parabola that is the graph of h⁡x. This axis of symmetry is midway between the x-intercepts, namely, x=−1 and x=2. Hence, the axis of symmetry is y=12, and the vertex of the parabola is the point ⁡12,h⁡12=⁡12,94.
h⁡3=18 = 7−11
5.2 - Interactive Solution
Type hx=fx−gx
Context Panel: Plots≻Plot Builder≻−2≤x≤3
RANGE: Determine the maximum of hx
Show h3=f3−g3
Type f3−g3
5.2 - Programmatic Solution
Define the function hx=fx− gx.
h≔unapplyfx− gx,x
plothx,x=−2..3,y=−2..3
h12
From the graph of hx, it should be clear that the domain is the set of all real numbers, and the range is the set of all reals from the vertex of the parabola down. Thus, the range is the set of reals y for which y≤94.
Show that the difference of f3 and g3 is h3.
F3−G3
Problem 5.3
5.3 - Mathematical Solution
If f⁡x=2⁢x+1, and g⁡x=x2+x−1, with all the reals as the common domain, then the rule for h⁡x=f⁡x⁢g⁡x is given by
h⁡x=2⁢x+1⁢x2+x−1 = 2⁢x3+3⁢x2−x−1
and its graph is given in Figure 5.3.1.
The domain for h⁡x is again the set of all real numbers, as is the range.
Since f⁡3=7 and g⁡3=11, we have h⁡3=77 = ⁡7⁢⁡11, so h⁡3=f⁡3⁢g⁡3.
Figure 5.3.1 Graph of h⁡x=2⁢x3+3⁢x2−x−1
5.3 - Maplet Solution
The arithmetic product of the functions
h⁡x=f⁡x⁢g⁡x
Clicking this link will launch the tutor with the solution embedded as shown in the thumbnail image in Figure 5.3.2.
The rule for the product is
Figure 5.3.2 Thumbnail image of the Arithmetic of Functions Tutor
h⁡x=2⁢x+1⁢x2+x−1
From the graph of h⁡x, we deduce that the domain and range are both the set of all real numbers,
h⁡3=77 = ⁡7⁢⁡11
5.3 - Interactive Solution
Type hx=fx gx
Context Panel: Plots≻Plot Builder≻ −3≤x≤2
Domain and range of hx
The domain and range of hx are obvious from its graph
Show h3=f3 g3
Type f3 g3
5.3 - Programmatic Solution
Define the function hx=fx gx.
h≔unapplyfx gx,x
plothx,x=−3..2
From the graph of hx, it should be clear that both the domain and the range will be the set of all real numbers.
Show that the product of f3 and g3 is h3.
F3 G3
Problem 5.4
5.4 - Mathematical Solution
If f⁡x=2⁢x+1, and g⁡x=x2+x−1, with all the reals as the common domain, then the rule for h⁡x=f⁡xg⁡x is given by
h⁡x=2⁢x+1x2+x−1
and its graph is given in Figure 5.4.1.
The domain for h⁡x is the set of all real numbers, less the two x-coordinates at which h⁡x has vertical asymptotes. These two values, the zeros of g⁡x, the denominator of h⁡x, are x= −12±52, obtained with the quadratic formula.
The range is the set of all real numbers.
Figure 5.4.1 Graph of h⁡x=2⁢x+1x2+x−1
Since f⁡3=7 and g⁡3=11, we have h⁡3=711 so h⁡3=f⁡3g⁡3.
5.4 - Maplet Solution
The arithmetic quotient of the functions
h⁡x=f⁡xg⁡x
s well as its graph, its domain and range, and the function values h⁡3,f⁡3, and g⁡3 are provided by the Arithmetic of Functions tutor.
Clicking this link will launch the tutor with the solution embedded as shown in the thumbnail image in Figure 5.4.2.
Figure 5.4.2 Thumbnail image of the Arithmetic of Functions Tutor
The rule for the quotient is
From the graph of h⁡x, we deduce that its domain is the set of all real numbers, less the two x-coordinates at which it has vertical asymptotes. These two values, the zeros of g⁡x, the denominator of h⁡x, are x=−12±52, obtained with the quadratic formula.
h⁡3=711
5.4 - Interactive Solution
Type hx=fxgx
Domain of hx
Type gx and press the Enter key.
Context Panel: Solve≻Solve
Show h3=f3g3
Type f3g3
5.4 - Programmatic Solution
Define the function hx=fxgx.
h≔unapplyfxgx,x
plothx,x=−3..2,y=−10..10,discont=true
Vertical asymptotes occur where gx=0.
solvegx=0,x
From the graph of hx, it should be clear that the domain is the set of all real numbers except for the two numbers at which gx=0, namely, except for x=−12±52. The range consists of all reals.
Show that the quotient of f3 and g3 is h3.
F3G3
Exercises - Chapter 5
Each of Exercises 5.1 - 5.13 provides rules f⁡x and g⁡x for two functions whose common domain is the set of all real numbers. For each such pair, obtain the arithmetic expressions for
(a) h⁡x=f⁡x+g⁡x
(b) h⁡x=f⁡x−g⁡x
(c) h⁡x=f⁡x⁢g⁡x
(d) h⁡x=f⁡xg⁡x
In each case, draw a graph of the function h⁡x and use it to determine the domain and range of h⁡x.
5.1. f⁡x=5⁢x−7,g⁡x=1−4⁢x
5.2. f⁡x=9−2⁢x,g⁡x=2⁢x2+x−1
5.3. f⁡x=3⁢x+5,g⁡x=4⁢x2+12⁢x+9
5.4. f⁡x=7⁢x−4,g⁡x=x2−2⁢x+5
5.5. f⁡x=3⁢x2+2⁢x−1,g⁡x=x2+2⁢x−35
5.6. f⁡x=4⁢x2−17⁢x−15,g⁡x=x2+10⁢x+26
5.7. f⁡x=2⁢x2−5⁢x−3,g⁡x=5⁢x2+3⁢x−2
5.8. f⁡x=25⁢x2−40⁢x+16,g⁡x=6⁢x2−11⁢x−2
5.9. f⁡x=9⁢x2−30⁢x+25,g⁡x=x2−x−6
5.10. f⁡x=16⁢x2−24⁢x+9,g⁡x=x2+12⁢x+27
5.11. f⁡x=x2+4⁢x+29,g⁡x=x2+14⁢x+50
5.12. f⁡x=x2−8⁢x+25,g⁡x=4⁢x2+5⁢x−6
5.13. f⁡x=x2+6⁢x+45,g⁡x=x2+3⁢x−4
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