SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

GENERAL MATHEMATICS
Quarter 1 - Module 1
Functions

i
 Chapter 1: Functions
What this module is about

Here you’ll learn how to interpret situations

that occur in everyday life and use functions
to represent them. You’ll also use these
functions to answer questions that come up.

What if your bank charged a monthly fee of

$15 for your checking account and also
charged $0.10 for each check written? How
would you represent this scenario with a
function? Also, what if you could only afford
to spend $20 a month on fees? Could you use your function to find out how many
checks you could write per month? In this Concept, you’ll learn how to handle
situations like these by using functions.

EXPLORE
How can challenging problems involving functions be analyzed and solved?
Let’s answer these question by doing the activities below.

Activity 1: Pictures Analysis (eliciting prior knowledge, Motivation, Hook)

Observe the pictures below and answer the questions

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 1. What concepts of functions can you associate with the pictures?
____________________________________________________
2. How these concepts are used indifferent situations?
____________________________________________________
3. Can you determine any purpose why these concepts are present in the
pictures? Please specify.
____________________________________________________
4. Can you cite any problem which can be answered through these concepts?
Describe at least one.
____________________________________________________
5. How can challenging problems involving functions be analyzed and solved?
____________________________________________________
Activity 2: IRF- Initial, Revised, Final

How can challenging problems involving functions be analyzed and solved?

Initial Answer Revised Answer Final Answer

What is It

Write a Function Rule

In many situations, data is collected by conducting a survey or an experiment. To

visualize the data, it is arranged into a table. Most often, a function rule is needed to
predict additional values of the independent variable.

Example Try to notice the trend of each variable.

Number of CDs 2 4 6 8 10

Cost (Php) 24 48 72 96 120

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Solution:

You pay Php 24 for 2 CDs, Php 48 for 4 CDs, and Php 120 for 10 CDs. That
means that each CD costs Php 12.

We can write the function rule.

𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 = 𝑃ℎ𝑝 12 × 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝐷𝑠 or 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟏𝟐𝒙

Example

Write a function rule for the table.

𝒙 −𝟐 𝟎 𝟐 −𝟑 −𝟏 𝟏 𝟑

𝒚 𝟐 𝟎 𝟐 𝟑 𝟏 𝟏 𝟑

Solution:

The values of the dependent variable are always the corresponding positive outcomes
of the input values. This relationship has a special name, the absolute value. The
function rule looks like this: 𝒇(𝒙) = |𝒙|.

Represent a Real-World Situation with a Function.

Let’s look at a real-world situation that can be represented by a function.

Example

Maya has an internet service that currently has a monthly access fee of $11.95 and a
connection fee of $0.50 per hour. Represent her monthly cost as a function of
connection time.

Solution:

Let 𝑥 = the number of hours Maya spends on the internet in one month.
𝑦 = Maya’s monthly cost.
The monthly fee is $11.95 with an hourly charge of $0.50.
The total cost = flat fee + hourly fee × number of hours. The function is

𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟗𝟓 + 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝒙.

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 When diving in the ocean, you must consider how much pressure you will
experience from diving a certain depth. From the atmosphere, we experience 14.7 pounds
per square inch (psi) and for every foot we dive down into the ocean, we experience
another 0.44 psi in pressure.

a. Write a function expressing how pressure changes depending on depth

underwater.
b. How far can you dive without experiencing more than 58.7 psi of pressure on your
body?

Process Questions:
1. How did you answer the problem above?
2. What concept did you use to solve the problem?
3. What might happen if you can’t be able to respond to the given situation?
4. How can challenging problems involving geometric figures be analyzed and
solved?

Write your answers here:

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LESSON

1 REPRESENTATIONS OF FUNCTIONS AND RELATIONS

Learning Outcome(s): At the end of the lesson, the learner is able to represent real-
life situations using functions, including piecewise functions.

What I Need to Know

1. Functions and Relations

2. Vertical Line Test
3. Representing real-life situations using functions, including piecewise
functions.

What I Know

Let us check how much you know about functions and their graphs.

Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer and write this on your answer sheet.

1) Given 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 − 5 & 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 + 4, solve for 𝑔 ○ 𝑓 (𝑥 ).

a. 11 − 6𝑥 c. 6𝑥 − 11
2
b. 6𝑥 − 7𝑥 − 20 d. 6𝑥 2 − 23𝑥 − 20

2) Given 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 7, what is 𝑓(−2)?

a. 1 c. -13
b. -1 d. 13

3) The composite function denoted by 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 is defined by.

a. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 )) c. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑥)●𝑔(𝑥)
b. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑓 (𝑥 )) d. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥)●𝑓(𝑥)

4) It is a set of ordered pairs (𝑥, 𝑦) such that no two ordered pairs have the same x-
value but different y-values?
a. relation c. domain
b. function d. range

5) What is the domain of the equation, 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥?

a. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒙 < −𝟏} c. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹}
b. 𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒙 ≠ 𝟏
{ } d. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒙 ≥ 𝟒}

6) Given 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 − 5 & 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 + 4, solve for 𝑓●𝑔(𝑥 )

a. 6𝑥 2 + 23𝑥 − 20 c. 6𝑥 2 − 20
b. 6𝑥 2 − 23𝑥 − 20 d. 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 20

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7) If 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 + 7 & 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 − 3, what is 𝑓 − 𝑔(𝑥)
a. −𝑥 + 4 c. 𝑥 − 4
b. 10 − 𝑥 d. 10 + 3𝑥

8) To divide two fractions or rational expressions, multiply the dividend with the
________ of the divisor.
a. reciprocal c. abscissa
b. addend d. Theorem

9) The ___ of a relation is the set of all possible values that the variable x can take.
a. domain c. equation
b. range d. function

10) Which of the following set of ordered pairs in NOT a function?

a. (1,2), (2,3), (3,4), (4,5) c. (1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4)
b. 1,2 , 1,3 , 3,6 , (4,8
( ) ( ) ( ) d. (3, 2), (4, 2), (5, 2), (6, 2)

11) A graph represents a function if and only if each vertical line intersects the graph
at most _____.
a. once c. twice
b. thrice d. all of the these

12) What is the domain of the function 𝑦 = √𝑥 − 5 ?

a. {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑥 ≥ −5} c. {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑥 ≥ 5}

b. {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑥 ≤ −5} d. {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑥 ≤ 5}

13) The composite function denoted by 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 is defined by ___________.

a. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥 ) c. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥 ))
b. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 )) d. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 )

14) Given 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 2 − 3𝑥, what is 𝑓 (−2)?

a. −22 c. 22
b. −10 d. 10

𝑓 𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
15) The quotient, denoted by , is the function denoted by (𝑔) (𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥) ,
𝑔
excluding the values of x where 𝑔(𝑥 ) = _________.
a. 0 c. 1
b. Both a and c d. None of these

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 What’s In

Definition

A relation is a rule that relates values from a set of values (called the domain) to a second set
of values (called the range).

A relation is a set of ordered pairs (𝑥, 𝑦).

A function is a relation where each element in the domain is related to only one value in the
range by some rule.

A function is a set of ordered pairs (𝑥, 𝑦) such that no two ordered pairs have the same x-value
but different y-values. Using functional notation, we can write 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑦, read as
“𝑓 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑦. ” In particular, if (1, 2) is an ordered pair associated with the function f,
then we say that 𝑓(2) = 1.

Here is a video to introduce functions [Link]

What is It

Relations can be represented by using ordered pairs, graph, table of values,

mapping diagram and rule or equations. Determine which of the following represents
functions.

1. Ordered Pairs
Example 1. Which of the following relations are functions?

𝑓 = (1, 3), (4, 1), (2, 0), (7,2)

𝑔 = (3, 2), (4,4), (3, 3), (8, 9)

ℎ = (1, 2), (2, 3), (3, 4), (4, 5)

Solution:

The relations 𝑓 and ℎ are functions because no two ordered pairs have the
same x-value but different y-values. Meanwhile, 𝑔 is not a function because
(3,2) and (3, 3) are ordered pairs with the same x-value but different y-
values.

Relations and functions can be represented by mapping diagrams where

the elements of the domain are mapped to the elements of the range using

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 arrows. In this case, the relation or function is represented by the set of all
the connections represented by the arrows.

2. Table of values
Example 2

A. x -3 -2 -1 0 1 3 4

y 10 5 2 1 2 5 6

Answer: Function. This is a many-to- one correspondence.

Inspecting the abscissas in the table,

x 1 1 1 2 4
B.
y 1 2 3 4 5

Answer: mere relation. This is a one- to- many correspondence. Looking at

the table, there is duplication in the domain. The element “1” in x is matched to
three elements in y.

3. Mapping Diagrams
Example 3. Which of the following mapping diagrams represent functions?

𝑓 𝑔

Solution.

The relations f and g are functions because each value y in Y is unique for a
specific value of x. The relation h is not a function because there is at least
one element in X for which there is more than one corresponding y-value.
For example, 𝑥 = 2 corresponds to 𝑦 = 20 or 40.

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A relation between two sets of numbers can be illustrated by a graph in the Cartesian
plane, and that a function passes the vertical line test.

The Vertical Line Test

A graph represents a function if and only if each vertical line intersects the graph
at most once.

Example 4. Which of the following can be graphs of functions?

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

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Solution. Graphs 2, 3, 4 are graphs of functions while 1 and 5 are not because they
do not pass the vertical line test.

Important Concepts.
Relations are rules that relate two values, one from a set of inputs and the second from the set
of outputs.

Functions are rules that relate only one value from the set of outputs to a value from the set of
inputs.

The domain of a relation is the set of all possible values that the variable x can take.

Example 5.

Identify the domain for each relation using set builder notation.

a. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 2
b. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥
c. 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 1
d. 𝑦 = √𝑥 − 4
2𝑥+1
e. 𝑦 = 𝑥−1
f. 𝑦 = ⌊𝑥 ⌋ + 1 where is the greatest integer function.

Solution. The domains for the relations are as follows:

a. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹} d. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒙 ≥ 𝟒}
b. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹} e. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒙 ≠ 𝟏}
c. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, −𝟏 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟏} f. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹}

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Functions as representations of real-life situations.
Functions can often be used to model real situations. Identifying an appropriate
functional model will lead to a better understanding of various phenomena.

Example 6.

Give a function C that can represent the cost of buying x meals, if one meal
costs P40.

Solution: Since each meal costs P40, then the cost function is 𝐶(𝑥) = 40𝑥.

Example 7.

One hundred meters of fencing is available to enclose a rectangular area

next to a river (see figure). Give a function A that can represent the area that
can be enclosed, in terms of x.

Solution.

The area of the rectangular enclosure is 𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦. We will write this as a

function of 𝑥. Since only 100 m of fencing is available, then 𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 100
100−𝑥
or 𝑦 =
2
= 50 − 0.5𝑥. Thus, 𝐴 = 𝑥(50 − 0.5𝑥) = 50𝑥 − 0.5𝑥 2 .

Piecewise Functions.
Some situations can only be described by more than one formula, depending on the
value of the independent variable.

Example 8.

A user is charged 𝑃300 monthly for a particular mobile plan, which includes
100 free text messages. Messages in excess of 100 are charged P1 each.
Represent the monthly cost for text messaging using the function 𝑡(𝑚), where
m is the number of messages sent in a month.

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Solution. The cost of text messaging can be expressed by the piecewise function

300 , 𝑖𝑓 0 < 𝑚 ≤ 100

𝑡(𝑚) = {
300 + 𝑚 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑚 > 100

Example 9.

A jeepney ride costs P8.00 for the first 4 kilometers, and each additional
integer kilometer adds P1.50 to the fare. Use a piecewise function to represent
the jeepney fare in terms of the distance (d) in kilometers.

Solution.

The input value is distance and the output is the cost of the jeepney fare. If
𝐹(𝑑) represents the fare as a function of distance, the function can be
represented as follows:

8.00 , 𝑖𝑓 0 < 𝑑 ≤ 4
𝐹(𝑑) = {
8 + 1⌊𝑑 ⌋ , 𝑖𝑓 𝑑 > 4

Note that ⌊𝑑 ⌋ is the floor function applied to d. The floor function gives the
largest integer less than or equal to d, e.g. ⌊4.1⌋ = ⌊4.9⌋ = ⌊4⌋

Example 10.

Water can exist in three states: solid ice, liquid water, and gaseous water vapor.
As ice is heated, its temperature rises until it hits the melting point of 0°C and
stays constant until the ice melts. The temperature then rises until it hits the
boiling point of 100°C and stays constant until the water evaporates. When the
water is in a gaseous state, its temperature can rise above 100°C (This is why
steam can cause third degree burns!).

A solid block of ice is at -25°C and heat is added until it completely turns into
water vapor. Sketch the graph of the function representing the temperature of
water as a function of the amount of heat added in Joules given the following
information:

➢ The ice reaches 0°C after applying 940 J.

➢ The ice completely melts into liquid water after applying a total of 6,950 J.
➢ The water starts to boil (100°C) after a total of 14,470 J.
➢ The water completely evaporates into steam after a total of 55,260 J.
Assume that rising temperature is linear. Explain why this is a piecewise function.

Solution. Let 𝑇(𝑥) represent the temperature of the water in degrees Celsius as a
function of cumulative heat added in Joules. The function T(x) can be graphed as
follows:

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This is a piecewise function because the temperature rise can be expressed as a linear
function with positive slope until the temperature hits 0°C, then it becomes a constant
function until the total heat reaches 6,950𝐾 𝐽. It then becomes linear again until the
temperature reaches 100°C, and becomes a constant function again until the total
heat reaches 55,260 𝐽.

Are you ready to take the test? Right on the next page…

Congratulations! You have finished the whole lesson.

What’s More

Answer the following item as instructed. Write your answer on a separate sheet. Justify
your answer.

Activity 1: RELATION-ships

1. For which values of k is the set of order pairs (2, 4), (𝑘, 6), (4, 0 ) a function?
2. Which of the following diagram represents a relation that is NOT a function?

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 3. Give the domain of 𝑦 = √6 − 𝑥 using set builder notation.
4. A person is earning P600 per day to do a certain job. Express the total salary
S as a function of the number n of days that the person works.

What I Can Do

Answer the following problems involving simple interest. Write your complete
solutions and answers on a 1 whole sheet of paper.

1. A taxi ride costs P40.00 for the first 500 meters, and each additional 300 meters
(or a fraction thereof) adds P3.50 to the fare. Use a piecewise function to
represent the taxi fare in terms of the distance d in meters.
2. A certain chocolate bar costs P35.00 per piece. However, if you buy more than
10 pieces, they will be marked down to a price of P32.00 per piece. Use a
piecewise function to represent the cost in terms of the number of chocolate
bars bought.

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LESSON

2 EVALUATING FUNCTIONS

Learning Outcome(s): At the end of the lesson, the learner is able to evaluate
functions and solve problems involving functions.
.

What I Need to Know

1. Evaluating functions

What’s In

PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS:

You need a good grasp of GEMDAS. GEMDAS is an acronym for the words
Grouping symbols, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. When
asked to simplify two or more operations in one algebraic/numerical expression, the
order of the letters in GEMDAS indicates what to calculate first, second, third and so
on, until a simplified expression is achieved.

What is It

Evaluating a function means replacing the variable in the function, in this case
x, with a value from the function's domain and computing for the result. To
denote that we are evaluating 𝑓 at a for some 𝑎 in the domain of f, we write 𝑓 (𝑎).

Check this link for more examples:

[Link]

Example 1. Evaluate the following functions at 𝑥 = 1.5:

a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2
b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥
c. ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 4
2𝑥+1
d. 𝑟(𝑥) = 𝑥−1
e. 𝑡(𝑥) = ⌊𝑥 ⌋ + 1 where is the greatest integer function

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Solution:

a. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 2 = 3(1.5) − 2 = 4.5 − 2 = 2.5

b. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 = 3(1.5)2 − 4(1.5) = 3(2.25) − 6 = 6.75 − 6 = 0.75
c. 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 4 = √1.5 + 4 = √5.5 = 2.34
2𝑥+1 2(1.5)+1 3+1 4
d. 𝑦 = = = = 0.5 = 8
𝑥−1 1.5−1 0.5
e. 𝑦 = ⌊𝑥 ⌋ + 1 = ⌊1.5⌋ + 1 = 1 + 1 = 2
Example 2.

Evaluate the following functions, where f and q are as defined in

Example 1.

a) 𝑓(2𝑥 + 1) b) 𝑔(4𝑥 − 3)

Solution:

a. 𝑓 (2𝑥 + 1) = 3(2𝑥 + 1) − 2 = 6𝑥 + 3 − 2 = 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟏
b. 𝑔(4𝑥 − 3) = 3(4𝑥 − 3)2 − 4(4𝑥 − 3)
= 3(16𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 9) − 16𝑥 + 12

= 48𝑥 2 − 72𝑥 + 27 − 16𝑥 + 12

= 48𝑥 2 − 88𝑥 + 39

Example 3

Evaluate 𝑓(𝑎 + 𝑏) where 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 .

Solution.

𝑓 (𝑎 + 𝑏) = 4(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 − 3(𝑎 + 𝑏) = 4(𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 ) − 3𝑎 − 3𝑏

= 4𝑎2 − 3𝑎 + 8𝑎𝑏 − 3𝑏 + 4𝑏2

Example 4

Suppose that 𝑠 (𝑇) is the top speed (in km per hour) of a runner when the
temperature is T degrees Celsius. Explain what the statements 𝑠(15) = 12
and 𝑠(30) = 10 mean.

Solution.

The first equation means that when the temperature is 15°𝐶, then the top
speed of a runner is 12 km per hour. However, when temperature rises
to 30°𝐶, the top speed is reduced to 10 km per hour.

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 Example 5

The velocity 𝑉 (in m/s) of a ball thrown upward 𝑡 seconds after the ball was
thrown is given by 𝑉(𝑡) = 20 − 9.8𝑡. Calculate 𝑉(0) and 𝑉(1), and explain
what these results mean.

Solution.

𝑉(0) = 20 − 9.8(0) = 20 and 𝑉(1) = 20 − 9.8(1) = 10.2. These results

indicate that the initial velocity of the ball is 20 m/s. After 1 second, the ball
is traveling more slowly, at 10.2 m/s.

Activity 2 : IRF- Initial, Revised, Final (revised)

How can challenging problems involving functions be analyzed and

solved?
Initial Answer Revised Answer Final Answer

What’s More

Try to solve the following Exercises.

Activity 2: Check it out

a) Evaluate the following functions at 𝑥 = −3

1. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 − 64
2. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = |𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1|
3. 𝑟(𝑥 ) = √3 − 2𝑥
3𝑥+1
4. 𝑞(𝑥 ) = 𝑥2 +7𝑥+10

b) Given 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4, solve for:

1. 𝑓 (3)
2. 𝑓(𝑥 + 3)

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 What I Can Do

Answer the following problems involving simple interest. Write your

complete solutions and answers on a 1 whole sheet of paper.

1. A computer shop charges P20.00 per hour (or a fraction of an hour) for the
first two hours and an additional P10.00 per hour for each succeeding hour.
Find how much you would pay if you used one of their computers for:
1. 40 minutes 2) 3 hours 3) 150 minutes
2. Under certain circumstances, a rumor spread according to the
equation

1
𝑝 (𝑡 ) =
1 + 15(2.1)−0.3𝑡

where 𝑝(𝑡) is the proportion of the population that knows the rumor (𝑡)
days after the rumor started. Find 𝑝(4) and 𝑝(10), and interpret the
results.

LESSON

3 Operations on Functions & Composition of Functions

Learning Outcome(s): At the end of the lesson, the learner is able to perform addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division, composition of functions, and solve problems
involving functions.

What I need to know

1. Review: Operations on algebraic expressions

2. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of functions
3. Function composition

What’s In

PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS:
Basic knowledge of algebra is required such as simplifying expressions, factoring
and the like.
Source: [Link]

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 What is It

RECALL: Addition and Subtraction

a. Find the least common denominator (LCD) of both fractions.

b. Rewrite the fractions as equivalent fractions with the same LCD.
c. The LCD is the denominator of the resulting fraction.
d. The sum or difference of the numerators is the numerator of the resulting
fraction.

𝟏 𝟐
Example 1. Find the sum of and
𝟑 𝟓

Solution. The LCD of the two fractions is 15.

1 2 5 6 5+6 11
+ 5 = 15 + 15 = = 15
3 15

1 2
Example 2. Find the sum of 𝑥−3
and 𝑥−5

Solution. The LCD of the two fractions is (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 5) = 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 15

1 2 1(𝑥 − 5) 2(𝑥 − 3) 𝑥 − 5 + 2𝑥 − 6 3𝑥 − 11
+ = 2 + 2 = 2 = 2
𝑥 − 3 𝑥 − 5 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 15 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 15 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 15 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 15

RECALL: Multiplication

a. Rewrite the numerator and denominator in terms of its prime factors.

b. Common factors in the numerator and denominator can be simplified as “1”.
c. Multiply the numerators together to get the new numerator.
d. Multiply the denominators together to get the new denominator.

10 15
Example 3. Find the product of and .
21 8

Solution.

Express the numerators and denominators of the two fractions into their
prime factors. Multiply and simplify out common factors in the
numerator and the denominator to reduce the final answer to lowest
terms.

10 15 2 ● 5 3 ● 5 25
● = ● =
21 8 3 ● 7 2 ● 4 28

19
 𝑥 2 −4𝑥−5 𝑥 2 −5𝑥+6
Example 4. Find the product of and .
𝑥 2 −3𝑥+2 𝑥 2 −3𝑥−10

Solution.

Express the numerators and denominators of the two rational

expressions into their prime factors. Multiply and simplify out common
factors in the numerator and the denominator to reduce the final answer
to lowest terms. Note the similarity in the process between this example
and the previous one on fractions.

𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 5) (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3)
● = ●
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2) (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 2)

(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 − 3)
= ●
(𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 + 2)

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3
=
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 2

RECALL: Division
To divide two fractions or rational expressions, multiply the dividend with the
reciprocal of the divisor.

2𝑥 2 +𝑥−6 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−8
Example 5. Divide 2𝑥2 +7𝑥+5 and 2𝑥2 −3𝑥−20

Solution:

2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 6 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 6 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 20
÷ = ●
2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 5 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 20 2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 5 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8
(2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) (2𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 4)
= ●
(2𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 4)

(2𝑥 − 3)
=
(𝑥 + 1)

20
Definition.

Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions.

1. Their sum, denoted by 𝑓 + 𝑔 , is the function denoted by

(𝒇 + 𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙)

2. Their difference, denoted by 𝑓 − 𝑔 , is the function denoted by

(𝒇 − 𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒈(𝒙)

3. Their product, denoted by 𝑓●𝑔 , is the function denoted by

(𝑓●𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 )●𝑔(𝑥)

𝑓
4. Their quotient, denoted by 𝑔
, is the function denoted by

𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
(𝑔) (𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥) , excluding the values of x where 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 0.

Use the following functions below for Example 5

❖ 𝒇(𝒙 ) = 𝒙 + 𝟑
❖ 𝒑(𝒙) = 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟕
❖ 𝒗(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟒
❖ 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟖
𝒙+𝟕
❖ 𝒉(𝒙) = 𝟐−𝒙
𝒙+𝟐
❖ 𝒕(𝒙) = 𝒙+𝟑

Example 6. Determine the following functions.

a) (𝑣 + 𝑔)(𝑥)
b) (𝑓 ● 𝑝)(𝑥 )
c) (𝑓 + ℎ)(𝑥 )
d) (𝑝 − 𝑓)(𝑥)
𝑣
e) ( ) (𝑥)
𝑔

Solution:

21
 a. (𝑣 + 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = (x 2 + 5x + 4) + (x 2 + 2x − 8)
= 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4 + 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8
= 2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 4

b. (𝑓 ● 𝑝)(𝑥 ) = (𝑥 + 3)(2𝑥 − 7) = 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 21

𝒙+𝟕
c. (𝑓 + ℎ)(𝑥 ) = (𝑥 + 3) + 𝟐−𝒙
(𝑥 + 3)(2 − 𝑥) 𝑥 + 7 (𝑥 + 3)(2 − 𝑥 ) + 𝑥 + 7
= + =
2−𝑥 2−𝑥 2−𝑥

6 − 𝑥 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 7 13 − 𝑥 2 𝑥 2 − 13
= = =
2−𝑥 2−𝑥 𝑥−2

d. (𝑝 − 𝑓 )(𝑥 ) = (2𝑥 − 7) − (𝑥 + 3) = 2𝑥 − 7 − 𝑥 − 3 = 𝑥 − 10

2 ( )( ) ( )
e. (vg) (x) = xx2 +5x+4 x+1 x+4 x+1
+2x−8
= (𝑥−2)(𝑥+4) = (𝑥−2)

Applying operations on functions may be quite confusing but as soon as you fully
learn the concept, you can derive strategies to simplify functions easily.

For further understanding on this lesson, watch the video using the link below,

[Link]

Definition.
Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions.
The composite function denoted by 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 is defined by

𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 )).

The process of obtaining a composite function is called function composition.

For examples 7 to 10, use the following functions:

2𝑥+1
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 + 1 𝑔(𝑥 ) = √𝑥 + 1 𝑝 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥−1

𝑞(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2 𝐹 (𝑥 ) = ⌊𝑥 ⌋ + 1

22
Example 7: Find and simplify 𝑔 ○ 𝑓 (𝑥)

Solution:

𝑔 ○ 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑔(2𝑥 + 1) = √2𝑥 + 1 + 1 = √2𝑥 + 2

Example 8: Find and simplify 𝑞 ○ 𝑓 (𝑥)

Solution:

𝑞 ○ 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = (2𝑥 + 1)2 − 2(2𝑥 + 1) + 2

= 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 − 4𝑥 − 2 + 2

= 4𝑥 2 + 1

Example 9: Find and simplify 𝑓 ○ 𝑝 (𝑥)

Solution:

2𝑥 + 1
𝑓 ○ 𝑝 (𝑥 ) = 2 ( )+1
𝑥−1
(4𝑥 + 2) + (𝑥 − 1) 5𝑥 + 1
= =
𝑥−1 𝑥−1
Example 10: Find and simplify 𝐹 ○ 𝑝 (5)

Solution:

2(5) + 1 11
𝐹 ○ 𝑝 (5) = ⌊ ⌋+1= +1=2+1=3
5−1 4

PROBLEMS INVOLVING FUNCTIONS

Example 11

Suppose that 𝑁(𝑥) = 𝑥 denotes the number of shirts sold by a shop, and the
selling price per shirt is given by 𝒑(𝒙) = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 − 𝟓𝒙, for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 20. Find
(𝑁 ● 𝑝)(𝑥) and describe what it represents.

Solution:

(𝑁 ● 𝑝)(𝑥 ) = 𝑁(𝑥 )●𝑝(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 (𝟐𝟓𝟎 − 𝟓𝒙) = 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝒙 − 𝟓𝒙𝟐 , 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 20. Since

this function is the product of the quantity sold and the selling price, then
(𝑁 ● 𝑝)(𝑥 ) represents the revenue earned by the company.

Example 12

23
 A spherical balloon is being inflated. Let 𝑟(𝑡) = 3𝑡 cm represent its radius at
4
time 𝑡 seconds, and let 𝑔(𝑟) = 3 𝜋𝑟 3 be the volume of the same balloon if its
radius is 𝑟. Write (𝑔 ○ 𝑟) in terms of 𝑡, and describe what it represents.

Solution:
4 4
(𝑔 ○ 𝑟) = 𝑔(𝑟(𝑡) = 𝜋𝑟(3𝑡)3 = 𝜋(27𝑡 3 ) = 36𝜋𝑡 3 . This
3 3
function represents the volume of the balloon at time t
seconds.

What’s More

Activity 3: We Co-Operate

a) Let f and g be defined as 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 − 5 and 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 − 1 . Find,

𝑓
1. 𝑓 + 𝑔 4. 𝑔
𝑔
2. 𝑓 − 𝑔 5.
𝑓
3. 𝑓●𝑔

1
b) Let 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 − 1 and 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥, find
1. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 )
2. 𝑔 ○ 𝑓(−1)
3. 𝑓 ○ 𝑓 (𝑥 )
4. 𝑔 ○ 𝑔(5)

c) Evaluate the following composition of functions.

Given :
𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1
𝑔(𝑥) = 5𝑥2
ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3
1. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥)
2. (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥)
3. (ℎ ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥)
4. (𝑓 ∘ ℎ)(𝑥)

24
 What I Can Do

Suppose that 𝑁(𝑥) = 𝑥 denotes the number of bags sold by a shop, and the
selling price per bag is given by 𝑝(𝑥) = 320 − 8𝑥, for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 10. Suppose
further that the cost of producing x bags is given by 𝐶(𝑥) = 200𝑥. Find
1. (𝑁 ● 𝑝)(𝑥) and
2. (𝑁 ● 𝑝 − 𝐶)(𝑥).
What do these functions represent?

Let us summarize…

Key Concepts

• A function is a set of ordered pairs (x,y) such that no two ordered pairs have
the same x-value but different y-values. Using functional notation, we can write
f(x) = y, read as “f of x is equal to y.”

• A function can be presented in the following ways: as a set of ordered pairs,

as a rule or equation, as a table of values, as a mapping diagram (one -to-
one, many-to-one), and through graphs.
• To check whether a graph represents a function, the vertical-line test is
applied.
• A piece-wise function is a function that contains several expressions
depending on restrictions of values the unknown variable will take on in a
certain situation
• To evaluate a function means to substitute/replace the variable with a given
value or an expression. f(a) denotes that f will be computed by replacing all the
variables in the functions with a.
• Operations on functions is denoted by the following:

Let f and g be functions.

Their sum, denoted by f + g, is the function denoted by

(𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) + 𝑔(𝑥).
Their difference, denoted by f - g, is the function denoted by
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥). .
Their product, denoted by 𝑓 • 𝑔, is the function denoted by
(𝑓•𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 )• (𝑥).
Their quotient, denoted by f ÷g, is the function denoted by

25
 𝑓(𝑥)
(𝑓 ÷ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = , excluding the values of x where g(x)=0.
𝑔(𝑥)

• The composition of the function “ 𝑓 𝑜𝑓 𝑔 ” is defined as follows:

(𝑓  𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)). This means that 𝑓(𝑥) is composed of the function
𝑔(𝑥). In other words, the variable 𝑥 in 𝑓(𝑥) will take on the value of 𝑔(𝑥).

• In solving composite functions, it is important to apply the GEMDAS principle.

• Real-life problems/scenarios could be represented by functions.
•

Assessment (Post-test)

Let us check how much you have learned about functions.

Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer and write this on your answer sheet.

1. Given 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 − 5 & 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 + 4, solve for 𝑔 ○ 𝑓 (𝑥 ).

a. 11 − 6𝑥 c. 6𝑥 − 11
2
b. 6𝑥 − 7𝑥 − 20 d. 6𝑥 2 − 23𝑥 − 20

2. Given 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 7, what is 𝑓(−2)?

a. 1 c. -13
b. -1 d. 13

3. The composite function denoted by 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 is defined by.

a. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 )) c. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑥)●𝑔(𝑥)
b. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑓 (𝑥 )) d. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥)●𝑓(𝑥)

4. It is a set of ordered pairs (𝑥, 𝑦) such that no two ordered pairs have the same x-
value but different y-values?
a. relation c. domain
b. function d. range

5. What is the domain of the equation, 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥?

a. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒙 < −𝟏} c. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹}
b. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒙 ≠ 𝟏} d. {𝒙: 𝒙 ∈ 𝑹, 𝒙 ≥ 𝟒}
6. Given 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 − 5 & 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 + 4, solve for 𝑓●𝑔(𝑥 )
a. 6𝑥 2 + 23𝑥 − 20 c. 6𝑥 2 − 20
2
b. 6𝑥 − 23𝑥 − 20 d. 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 20

7. If 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 + 7 & 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 − 3, what is 𝑓 − 𝑔(𝑥)

a. −𝑥 + 4 c. 𝑥 − 4
b. 10 − 𝑥 d. 10 + 3𝑥

26
8. To divide two fractions or rational expressions, multiply the dividend with the
________ of the divisor.
a. reciprocal c. abscissa
b. addend d. Theorem

9. The ___ of a relation is the set of all possible values that the variable x can take.
a. domain c. equation
b. range d. function

10. Which of the following set of ordered pairs in NOT a function?

a. (1,2), (2,3), (3,4), (4,5) c. (1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4)
b. (1,2), (1,3), (3,6), (4,8 d. (3, 2), (4, 2), (5, 2), (6, 2)

11. A graph represents a function if and only if each vertical line intersects the graph
at most _____.
a. once c. twice
b. thrice d. all of the these

12. What is the domain of the function 𝑦 = √𝑥 − 5 ?

a. {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑥 ≥ −5} c. {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑥 ≥ 5}

b. {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑥 ≤ −5} d. {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑥 ≤ 5}

13. The composite function denoted by 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 is defined by ___________.

a. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥 ) c. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥 ))
b. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 )) d. 𝑓 ○ 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 )

14. Given 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 2 − 3𝑥, what is 𝑓 (−2)?

a. −22 c. 22
b. −10 d. 10

𝑓 𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
15. The quotient, denoted by , is the function denoted by (𝑔) (𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥) ,
𝑔
excluding the values of x where 𝑔(𝑥 ) = _________.
a. 0 c. 1
b. Both a and c d. None of these

27