Chapter 2: Problem 40
Find a formula for \(f \circ g\) given the indicated functions \(f\) and \(g\). $$ f(x)=3 x^{-5}, g(x)=-2 x^{-4} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The formula for \(f \circ g\) is \(f(g(x)) = \dfrac{3}{32} x^{20}\).
Step by step solution
01
Compute g(x) and Replace x in f(x)
First, we need to check the given functions \(f(x) = 3x^{-5}\) and \(g(x) = -2x^{-4}\). Then, we will compute \(g(x)\) for a general value of x, and replace x with g(x) in the function \(f(x)\).
In this case, we have:
\(g(x) = -2x^{-4}\)
Now, let's replace the x in f(x) with g(x). So, we get:
\(f(g(x)) = 3(-2x^{-4})^{-5}\)
02
Simplify the Expression
Next, we will simplify the expression of the composite function:
\(f(g(x)) = 3(-2x^{-4})^{-5}\)
Using the rule \((ab)^n = a^n b^n\) for exponents, we have:
\(f(g(x)) = 3((-2)^{-5} (x^{-4})^{-5})\)
Now, we will simplify the exponents:
\(f(g(x)) = 3((-2)^{-5} (x^{20}))\)
As -2 power -5 equals \(2^{-5}\), we have:
\(f(g(x)) = 3(2^{-5} x^{20})\)
Finally, we can write the composite function in its simplest form:
\(f(g(x)) = \dfrac{3}{32} x^{20}\)
So, the formula for \(f \circ g\) is \(f(g(x)) = \dfrac{3}{32} x^{20}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponent Rules
When working with exponent rules, it's important to grasp a few basic concepts that help simplify expressions. For example, an exponent represents the number of times to multiply a number by itself. Thus, "squaring" a number means raising it to the power of 2, while "cubing" involves raising it to the power of 3.
Some key exponent rules useful in simplifying expressions include:
Some key exponent rules useful in simplifying expressions include:
- Product of Powers Rule: When multiplying like bases, add their exponents, i.e., \( a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n} \).
- Power of a Power Rule: When raising an exponent to another power, multiply the exponents, i.e., \( (a^m)^n = a^{m \cdot n} \).
- Power of a Product Rule: When distributing an exponent over a product, distribute the exponent to each factor, i.e., \( (ab)^n = a^n \cdot b^n \).
- Negative Exponents: A negative exponent indicates the reciprocal of the base, i.e., \( a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n} \).
Simplifying Expressions
Simplifying expressions is all about reducing them to a form that is easier to understand and work with, without changing their value.
Let's take a deeper look at the simplification process used in our exercise. We started with the expression \( 3(-2x^{-4})^{-5} \). To simplify this:
Let's take a deeper look at the simplification process used in our exercise. We started with the expression \( 3(-2x^{-4})^{-5} \). To simplify this:
- First, apply the exponent rule \((ab)^n = a^n b^n\) to separate the parts inside the parentheses: \( (-2)^{-5} \) and \( (x^{-4})^{-5} \).
- Next, further simplify \( (x^{-4})^{-5} \) by using the power of a power rule, which gives us \( x^{(-4)\cdot(-5)} \) or \( x^{20} \).
- For \( (-2)^{-5} \), use the negative exponent rule to convert it into the reciprocal form, \( \frac{1}{2^5} \), which evaluates to \( \frac{1}{32} \).
- Lastly, multiply \(3\) with the simplified terms to get \( \frac{3}{32} x^{20} \).
Function Composition
Function composition is a fundamental mathematical operation where you combine two functions to form a new function. Essentially, you're plugging one function into another. This operation is represented by the composition operator "\( \circ \)", and is read as "\( f \) composed with \( g \)."
In our exercise, we are asked to find the composition of the functions \( f(x) = 3x^{-5} \) and \( g(x) = -2x^{-4} \). Here's how it works:
In our exercise, we are asked to find the composition of the functions \( f(x) = 3x^{-5} \) and \( g(x) = -2x^{-4} \). Here's how it works:
- Step 1: Identify the functions you are working with. Here, they are \( f(x) \) and \( g(x) \).
- Step 2: Substitute the output of \( g(x) \) as the input for \( f(x) \). This means replacing every occurrence of \( x \) in \( f(x) \) with \( g(x) \).
- Step 3: Simplify the resulting expression to achieve the final form of the composite function.