Function subtraction involves taking two functions, say \(f(x)\) and \(g(x)\), and creating a new function that represents their difference. The notation for function subtraction is \((f - g)(x)\). This operation is defined mathematically as: \( (f-g)(x) = f(x) - g(x) \).
Here’s what you need to remember:
- You're subtracting the entire function \(g(x)\) from \(f(x)\).
- This subtraction applies to every value of \(x\) for which both functions are defined.
For example, if \( f(x) = 2x + 3 \) and \( g(x) = x^2 \), then:
\( (f-g)(x) = (2x + 3) - (x^2). \)
Sometimes, it helps to think of \(f(x)\) and \(g(x)\) as similar to regular numbers that you subtract from each other, but instead, you're working with entire expressions.