Multiplying and Dividing Functions
To multiply or divide functions, just multiply or divide the values at each point where it makes
sense. If the functions are given by formulas, you can just multiply or divide the formulas (it
doesn't matter whether you plug in values before or after).
Multiplying and Dividing Functions:
Explanations (3):
Here are some different notations that you might come across when multiplying and dividing
functions:
(fg)(x)=f(x)⋅g(x)
(f/g)(x)=f(x)/g(x), where g(x)≠0
Let's do an example to illustrate how to multiply and divide functions! Say you're given
f(x)=x+1 and g(x)=x²−1, and you're asked to find (fg)(x) and (fg)(x).
Let's talk about how to do this.
Multiplying Functions
First, let's find (fg)(x). We know that (fg)(x)=f(x)⋅g(x).
Since we already know that f(x)=x+1 and g(x)=x2−1,
we can easily find f(x)⋅g(x)!
(fg)(x)=f(x)⋅g(x)=(x+1)⋅(x²−1)
=x³−x+x²−1
=x³+x²−x−1
So (fg)(x)=x³+x²−x−1.
Let's think about if you had been asked to find (fg)(2).
Well, since (fg)(x)=f(x)⋅g(x), we know that (fg)(2)=f(2)⋅g(2).
There are a couple ways to evaluate (fg)(2): we could find find (fg)(x) and then plug in 2 for x in
this product, or we could evaluate f(2) and g(2) and then find their product. Let's try out both
methods.
First, let's find( fg)(x) and substitute a 2 wherever we see an x
in the resulting expression. We have already found (fg)(x). It's x³+x²−x−1.
Now, let's plug in a 2 for x.(fg)(2)=(2)³+(2)²−(2)−1
=8+4−2−1
=9
So (fg)(2)=9. Let's see if we get the same answer by using the other method. This time, we will
evaluate the product of f(2) and g(2).
(fg)(2)=f(2)⋅g(2)=((2)+1)⋅((2)²−1)
=3⋅(4−1)
=3⋅3
=9
No matter the method we use, we can see that (fg)(2)=f(2)⋅g(2)=9.
Dividing Functions
Now, let's find (f/g)(x).
When dividing functions, we first need to make sure that the function in the denominator (in
this case, g(x)) is not 0. In this case, g(x)=x²−1, so we can proceed.
We know that (f/g)(x)=f(x)/g(x).
Since we already know that f(x)=x+1 and g(x)=x²−1, we can find f(x)/g(x)!
(f/g)(x)=f(x)/g(x)=(x+1)/(x2−1)
=(x+1)/(x+1)(x−1)
=(x+1)/(x+1)(x−1)
=1/(x−1)
So (f/g)(x)=1/(x−1). Think about what you should do if you had been asked to find (f/g)(2).
Since (f/g)(x)=f(x)/g(x), we know that (f/g)(2)=f(2)/g(2).
Like before with multiplication, there are a couple ways to evaluate (f/g)(2):
we could find find (f/g)(x) and plug in 2 for x in this quotient, or we could evaluate f(2) and g(2)
and then find their quotient. Time to try out both methods!
First, let's find (f/g)(x) and substitute a 2 wherever we see an x in the resulting expression. We
have already found (f/g)(x)… it's 1/(x−1). Now, let's plug in 2 for x.
(f/g)(2)=1/((2)−1)
=1/(1)
=1
So (f/g)(2)=1. Let's check that we get the same answer by using the other strategy. This time,
we will evaluate the quotient of f(2) and g(2), or f(2)/g(2).
First, we have to make sure that g(2)≠0, because we cannot divide by 0:
g(2)=(2)²−1=4−1=3, and 3≠0
Now that we have confirmed that g(2)≠0, we can go ahead and solve for (f/g)(2). Remember,
we already know that g(2)=3.
(f/g)(2)=f(2)/g(2)=((2)+1)/3
=(3)/3
=1
No matter which method we use, we can see that (f/g)(2)=f(2)/g(2)=1.
EXAMPLES:
1.) Problem: f(x)=2x-1
g(x)=6x²-7x+2
What is (f/g)(x)?
Solution:
(f/g)(x)= 2x-1/6x²-7x+2 (f/g)(x)= 1/3x-2 f(x)=2x-1 g(x)=6x²-7x+2 g(2)=35
= 2x-1/(2x-1)(3x-2) (f/g)(2)= 1/3(3)-2 f(2)=2(3)-1 g(2)=6(3²)-7(3)+2 (f/g)(2)=5/35
(f/g)(x)= 1/3x-2 ✓ (f/g)(2)= 1/7✓ f(2)=5 g(2)=54-21+2 (f/g)=1/7 ✓
Answer: (f/g)(x)=1/3x-2
2.) Problem: f(x)=2x+1
g(x)=x-3
Find (fg) (4)
Solution:
f(x)=2x+1 (fg)(x)=(2x+1)(x-3). (fg)(4)=9•1
f(4)=2(4)+1 =2x²-5x-3 (fg)(4)=9✓
f(4)= 9 =2(4)²-5(4)-3
g(x)=x-3 =32-20-3
g(4)=4-3 =9✓
g(4)=1
Answer: (fg)(4)=9
3.) Problem: f(x)=x²-1
g(x)=x+1
Find (fg)(x)
Solution:
(f/g)(x)=x²-1/x+1 (f/g)(4)=(4)²-1/(4)+1 (f/g)(x)=x-1
=(x+1)(x-1)/x+1 =15/5 (f/g)(4)=(4)-1
(f/g)(x)=x-1✓ (f/g)(4)=3✓ (f/g)(4)=3✓
Answer: (fg)(x)=x-1