Composition of Functions

Two or more functions where the range of the first becomes the domain of the second.

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Function Composition

Functions can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided creating new functions and graphs that are complicated combinations of the various original functions. One important way to transform functions is through function composition. Function composition allows you to line up two or more functions that act on an input in tandem.

Is function composition essentially the same as multiplying the two functions together?

Composition of Functions

A common way to describe functions is a mapping from the domain space to the range space:

Function composition means that you have two or more functions and the range of the first function becomes the domain of the second function.

There are two notations used to describe function composition. In each case the order of the functions matters because arithmetically the outcomes will be different. Squaring a number and then doubling the result will be different from doubling a number and then squaring the result. In the diagram above,  occurs first and  occurs second. This can be written as:

or

You should read this “ of  of .” In both cases notice that the  is closer to the  and operates on the  values first.

Examples

Example 1

Earlier, you were asked if function composition is the same as multiplying two functions together. Function composition is not the same as multiplying two functions together. With function composition there is an outside function and an inside function. Suppose the two functions were doubling and squaring.  It is clear just by looking at the example input of the number 5 that 50 (squaring then doubling) is different from 100 (doubling then squaring). Both 50 and 100 are examples of function composition, while 250 (five doubled multiplied by five squared) is an example of the product of two separate functions happening simultaneously.

For the next two examples, use the functions below:

Example 3

Show

In order to truly show they are not equal it is best to find a specific counter example of a number where they differ.  Sometimes algebraic expressions may look different, but are actually the same. You should notice that is undefined when  because then there would be zero in the denominator.  on the other hand is defined at . Since the two function compositions differ, you can conclude:

Example 4

What is ?

These functions are nested within the arguments of the other functions. Sometimes functions simplify significantly when composed together, as  and  do in this case. It makes sense to evaluate those two functions first together and keep them on the outside of the argument.

Notice how the composition of  and  produced just the argument itself?

Thus,

For the next two examples, use the graphs shown below:

Example 4

Compose  and graph the result. Describe the transformation.

The positive portion of the exponential graph has been mirrored over the  axis and the negative portion of the exponential graph has been entirely truncated.

Example 5

Compose  and graph the result. Describe the transformation.

The exponential graph has been reflected over the -axis.

Review

For questions 1-9, use the following three functions: .

1. Graph  and .

2. Find  algebraically.

3. Graph  and describe the transformation.

4. Find  algebraically.

5. Graph  and describe the transformation.

6. Find  algebraically.

7. Graph  and describe the transformation.

8. Find  algebraically.

9. Graph  and describe the transformation.

For 10-16, use the following three functions: .

10. Graph  and .

11. Find  algebraically.

12. Graph  and describe the transformation.

13. Find  algebraically.

14. Graph  and describe the transformation.

15. Find  algebraically.

16. Graph  and describe the transformation.

To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 1.11.

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Color Highlighted Text Notes

Vocabulary Language: English

TermDefinition
domain The domain of a function is the set of $x$-values for which the function is defined.
Function A function is a relation where there is only one output for every input. In other words, for every value of $x$, there is only one value for $y$.
Function composition Function composition involves 'nested functions' or functions within functions. Function composition is the application of one function to the result of another function.
Range The range of a function is the set of $y$ values for which the function is defined.