Chapter 1: Problem 44
Find formulas for \(f \circ g\) and \(g \circ f,\) and state the domains of the functions. $$f(x)=\frac{x}{1+x^{2}}, g(x)=\frac{1}{x}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
For \( f \circ g \), the formula is \( \frac{x}{x^2+1} \) with domain \( x \neq 0 \). For \( g \circ f \), the formula is \( \frac{1+x^2}{x} \) with domain \( x \neq 0 \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Functions
We have two functions: \( f(x) = \frac{x}{1+x^2} \) and \( g(x) = \frac{1}{x} \). We need to determine the composition of these functions in two ways: \( f \circ g \) and \( g \circ f \).
02
Find \( f \circ g \)
To find \( f \circ g \), we substitute \( g(x) \) into \( f(x) \). Thus, the composition \ \( f(g(x)) = f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = \frac{\frac{1}{x}}{1+\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)^2} = \frac{1/x}{1+1/x^2} \ = \frac{1}{x} \left/ \left( \frac{x^2 + 1}{x^2} \right) \right. = \frac{1}{x} \cdot \frac{x^2}{x^2 + 1} = \frac{x^2}{x(x^2+1)} = \frac{x}{x^2+1} \).
03
Determine the Domain of \( f \circ g \)
The domain of \( f(g(x)) \) is determined by the domain of \( g(x) \), which is \( x eq 0 \), and the resulting expression \( \frac{x}{x^2+1} \), which is defined for all real numbers. Therefore, the domain of \( f \circ g \) is all real numbers except 0, i.e., \( x \in \mathbb{R} \setminus \{0\} \).
04
Find \( g \circ f \)
To find \( g \circ f \), we substitute \( f(x) \) into \( g(x) \). Thus, the composition \ \( g(f(x)) = g\left(\frac{x}{1+x^2}\right) = \frac{1}{\frac{x}{1+x^2}} \ = \frac{1+x^2}{x} \).
05
Determine the Domain of \( g \circ f \)
The domain of \( g(f(x)) \) is determined by both \( f(x) \)'s domain (all real numbers; no restrictions), and the resulting expression \( \frac{1+x^2}{x} \). The main restriction comes from \( x \) cannot be 0, so the domain of \( g \circ f \) is \( x \in \mathbb{R} \setminus \{0\} \).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Domain of a Function
Understanding the domain of a function is fundamental when dealing with functions and their compositions. The domain refers to all permissible input values (or x-values) that can be fed into a function without causing mathematical issues like division by zero or involving square roots of negative numbers.
For example, when dealing with the function \( g(x) = \frac{1}{x} \), we immediately see a restriction: division by zero is undefined. Therefore, \( g(x) \) cannot accept \( x = 0 \).
For example, when dealing with the function \( g(x) = \frac{1}{x} \), we immediately see a restriction: division by zero is undefined. Therefore, \( g(x) \) cannot accept \( x = 0 \).
- For \( f(x) = \frac{x}{1+x^2} \), the function is defined for all real numbers as the denominator never becomes zero.
- In the composition \( f \circ g \), we substitute \( g(x) \) into \( f(x) \), and thus must respect \( g's \) domain restriction. So, \( x eq 0 \).
- Similarly, for \( g \circ f \), knowing \( f(x) \) is always defined, the domain restriction still comes from the expression \( \frac{1+x^2}{x} \), again requiring \( x eq 0 \).
Function Operations
Function operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and composition. These operations allow us to combine two functions into a single new function.
When considering function operations, attention to domains is crucial. Each type of operation may pose additional restrictions. For example:
When considering function operations, attention to domains is crucial. Each type of operation may pose additional restrictions. For example:
- Addition and subtraction might have domains restricted to the intersection of the two function domains.
- Multiplication and division often impose specific domain restrictions, particularly division, which cannot allow division by zero.
- Composition, a type of operation where functions input other functions, often combines these restrictions in a unique way that must be carefully calculated.
Composite Functions
Composite functions involve creating a new function by applying one function to the results of another. The notation \( f \circ g \) means "f composed with g," and it is calculated by substituting \( g(x) \) into \( f(x) \).
To correctly find the composite functions \( f \circ g \) and \( g \circ f \), we follow these steps:
To correctly find the composite functions \( f \circ g \) and \( g \circ f \), we follow these steps:
- Calculate \( f(g(x)) \): Substitute the entire expression \( g(x) \) into \( f(x) \).
- Calculate \( g(f(x)) \): Substitute \( f(x) \) into \( g(x) \).
- After substituting, simplify the expression wherever possible to determine the simplest form.