REVIEWER FOR GENERAL MATHEMATICS – 1st QUARTERLY EXAMINATIONS

Evaluation of Functions When multiplying or dividing functions,

To evaluate a function f (x) using a constant a , apply laws of exponents.
simply substitute a to all x ' s of the function,
which will lead to f ( a ). Example: Let f ( x )=x 2 and g ( x )=2 x2 +3 x
1. (f ∙ g)(x)
REMEMBER: Substitute the constant a to all x ' s ( f ∙ g ) ( x )=( x 2 )(2 x 2 +3 x)
of the function. ( f ∙ g ) ( x )=( x 2 )( 2 x 2 ) + ( x 2 ) (3 x)
( f ∙ g ) ( x )=2 x 4+ 3 x 3
Examples:
1. f ( x )=2 x 2−x−1 if x=−1
Let all x ' s be equal to −1 2. ( gf )( x )
( 2 x +3 x )
( f ) (x ¿¿ 2)¿
2
g
2
f (−1 )=2 (−1 ) −(−1 )−1 ( x ) =
f (−1 )=2 (1 )+1−1
f (−1 )=2 ( gf ) ( x )= x(x¿( 2 ¿2)
x+3 )
¿

2. g ( x )=4 x+3 if x=2

Let all x ' s be equal to 2
( gf ) ( x )= 2 xx+3
COMPOSITION ON FUNCTIONS
g ( 2 )=4 ( 2 ) +3
The composite function (fog)(x ) is defined as
g ( 2 )=8+ 3
f (g ( x )), where f (x) is being evaluated by the
g ( 2 )=11
function g(x ).

OPERATIONS ON FUNCTIONS
Example: Let f ( x )=2 x−1 and g ( x )=x−3
1. ( fog )( x )=f (g ( x ))
A. Addition and Subtraction
f ( x )=2 x−1
When adding or subtracting functions, we
Let all x ' s of f (x) be equal to g(x )
can only add or subtract like terms.
NOTE: Like terms are terms which have the
f ( x )=2 x−1
same variable raised to the same power.
Examples are: −2 x and 3 x , −1 and 5, x 2 and f ( g ( x ) )=2 ( x−3 )−1
3x .
2 f ( g ( x ) )=2 x−6−1
f ( g ( x ) )=2 x−7
Example: Let f ( x )=2 x−1 and g ( x )=x−2
1. (f + g)(x) 2. ( fof ) ( x )=f ( f ( x ) )
( f +g ) ( x ) =( 2 x−1 )+(x−2) f ( x )=2 x−1
( f +g ) ( x ) =2 x + x−1−2 Let all x ' s of f (x) be equal to f (x)
( f +g ) ( x ) =3 x −3
f ( x )=2 x−1
2. (f −g)(x) f ( f ( x ) )=2 ( 2 x −1 )−1
( f −g ) ( x )=( 2 x−1 )−(x−2) f ( f ( x ) )=4 x−2−1
( f −g ) ( x )=2 x−1−x +2 f ( f ( x ) )=4 x−3
( f −g ) ( x )=2 x−x−1+2
( f −g ) ( x )=x +1
B. Multiplication and Division
 REVIEWER FOR GENERAL MATHEMATICS – 1st QUARTERLY EXAMINATIONS

OPERATIONS AND COMPOSITIONS OF

EVALUATED FUNCTIONS DOMAIN AND RANGE OF SOME FUNCTIONS
When performing operations or compositions
on functions which are evaluated by a constant Domain – set of all possible values of x .
a , it is best to first evaluate the function before Range – set of all possible values of y .
performing operations/compositions.
FUNCTION DOMAIN RANGE
REMEMBER: Linear Functions All real All real
1. EVALUATE FIRST numbers numbers
Form:
2. PERFORM OPERATION/COMPOSITION
y=mx+b { x|x ∈ R } { y| y ∈ R }
Example: Let f ( x )=2 x +2 and g ( x )=x−1. Examples:
1. ( f +g ) (3 )=f ( 3 )+ g (3) 1. y=2 x−1
Evaluate f (3) and g(3) first. 2. y=x +3
f ( 3 )=2 ( 3 ) +2 g ( 3 )=( 3 )−1 Quadratic All real If a is positive,
Functions numbers then y ≥ k
f ( 3 )=6+2 g ( 3 )=3
f ( 3 )=8 Form: If a is negative,
2
y=a x +bx +c then y ≤ k
( f +g ) (3 )=f ( 3 )+ g (3) Rational Values of x m
a x +…
( f +g ) (3 )=8+3 Functions which make
y= n
b x +…
( f +g ) (3 )=11 the
Form: denominator
2. f (2)∗g(−1) P ( x) equal to zero
1. m=n,
If
y= are excluded.
Q( x ) a
Evaluate f ( 2 ) and g(−1) first. then y ≠
f ( 2 )=2 (2 )+ 2 g (−1 )=(−1 ) −1 b
f ( 3 )=4 +2 g (−1 )=−2 2. If m<n,
then y ≠ 0
f ( 3 )=6
3. If m>n,
then range
f ( 2 )∗g (−1 )=(6)(−2) is the set
f ( 2 )∗g (−1 )=−12 of all real
numbers
Radical Functions Solve for the All positive
3. ( fog )( 3 ) =f ( g ( 3 ) )
function inside integers
Since f (x) is being evaluated by g(3), Form: the radical
evaluate g(3) first. y= √ x m which leads to
n

g ( 3 )=3−1 f (x)≥0
g ( 3 )=4 Example:
1. y= √ x +1

Since g ( 3 )=4 and f (x) is being evaluated by

g(3), let all x ' s of f (x) be equal to 4.
f ( x )=2 x +2
INVERSE OF A FUNCTION
f ( g ( 3 )) =2 ( 4 )+ 2
The inverse of a function f (x) is defined by the
f ( g ( 3 )) =8+2
notation f −1 (x) .
f ( g ( 3 )) =10 A useful tip in determining the inverse of a
function is to use the undo rule.
 REVIEWER FOR GENERAL MATHEMATICS – 1st QUARTERLY EXAMINATIONS

UNDO RULE:
Addition – Subtraction
Multiplication – Division
Example: SOLVING RATIONAL INEQUALITIES
1. Inverse of f ( x )=2 x−3 One useful method in solving rational
Note: Order of operations with respect to x inequalities is to:
are 1) multiplication by 2 and 2) 1) Determine the points from the numerator
subtraction by 3. and denominator.
The undo rule of this is: 1) addition by 3 2) Setting a test point from one extreme end to
and 2) division by 2. (NOTE: When determine the direction of the solution.
determining the undo rule, start with the
last operation done). This leads to: Example:
−1 x +3 x+2
f ( x )= 1. <0
2 x

2. Inverse of f ( x )=2( x+3) Numerator: Denominator:

Order of operations with respect to x : 1) x +2=0 x=0
addition by 3, and 2) multiplication by 2. x +2−2=0−2
The undo rule of this is: 1) division by 2 and x=−2
2) subtraction by 3. This leads to:
−1 x Note: Since the point x=0 is from the
f ( x )= −3
2 denominator, it is a hollow point and will
use either of the three: ¿ ,> , or ≠ . Since the
point x=−2 is from the numerator, check
SOLVING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS the inequality symbol used, which is ¿ (less
To solve rational functions: than). This shows that the point is a hollow
1) Multiply the whole equation by the LCD. one and uses either of the three: ¿ ,> , or ≠ .
2) Simplify and solve for x .
Test a point on the right of x=0 . Common
Example: sense dictates to use x=1. Substitute to
1 1 rational inequality.
1. Solve + =0
x+1 x +3 x+2
<0
x

( x 1+1 + x+1 3 )= ( 0) ( x +1)(x +3)

( 1 )+ 2
(x +1)( x+3) <0
1
( x +3 ) ( 1 )+ ( 1 )( x +1 )=0 3<0
x +3+ x +1=0 Since the statement is false, therefore the
2 x+ 4=0 right part ( x >0 ¿ is not a solution. This
2 x+ 4−4=0−4 shows that the solution is:
2 x=−4 x >−2∧x <0
2 x −4
=
2 2
x=−2
 REVIEWER FOR GENERAL MATHEMATICS – 1st QUARTERLY EXAMINATIONS

2. f ( x )=3 2 x +1

INTERCEPTS OF FUNCTIONS
EVALUATING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS
1. x−¿intercept: Value of x when y=0. To To evaluate exponential equations, simply
solve for this, let all y ' s be zero, then solve substitute the constant to all x ' s.
for x .
Example:
Example: 1. y=3 2 x when x=2
y=3 x−1 y=3
2(2)

Let y=0 y=3

4

0=3 x−1 y=81

3 x−1=0
3 x−1+1=0+ 1
SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS
3 x=1
To solve exponential equations in the form
3x 1
= a =b :
x
3 3
1 1) Express b as a raised to a power.
x= 2) Bring down the exponents as an equation,
3
then solve for x .

This can be written as ( 13 , 0). Examples:

NOTE: x -intercepts have y as zero. 1. 33 x =27
Express 27 as 3 raised to a power.
3x 3
2. y−¿intercept: Value of y when x=0 . To 3 =3
solve for this, let all x ' s be equal to zero, Since the bases are equal (both are 3), bring
then solve for y . down the exponents. Then solve for x
3 x=3
Example: 3x 3
=
y=3 x−1 3 3
x=1
Let x=0
y=3 ( 0 )−1
y=−1 2. 23 x =64
3x 6
2 =2
This can be written as ( 0 ,−1 ). 3 x=6
3x 6
NOTE: y−¿intercepts have x as zero. =
3 3
x=2
EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS

An exponential equation comes in the form of

x
f ( x )=a +b , where a> 0 and a ≠ 1.

Examples:
1. y=2x