1
FUNCTIONS AND MODELS
FUNCTIONS AND MODELS
1.3
New Functions from Old
Functions
In this section, we will learn:
How to obtain new functions from old functions
and how to combine pairs of functions.
NEW FUNCTIONS FROM OLD FUNCTIONS
In this section, we:
Start with the basic functions we discussed
in Section 1.2 and obtain new functions by
shifting, stretching, and reflecting their graphs.
We also show how to combine pairs of functions
by the standard arithmetic operations and by
composition.
TRANSFORMATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
By applying certain transformations
to the graph of a given function,
we can obtain the graphs of certain
related functions.
This will give us the ability to sketch the graphs
of many functions quickly by hand.
It will also enable us to write equations for
given graphs.
TRANSLATIONS
Let’s first consider translations.
If c is a positive number, then the graph of
y = f(x) + c is just the graph of y = f(x) shifted
upward a distance of c units.
This is because each y-coordinate is increased
by the same number c.
Similarly, if g(x) = f(x - c) ,where c > 0, then
the value of g at x is the same as the value
of f at x - c (c units to the left of x).
TRANSLATIONS
Therefore, the graph of y = f(x - c) is
just the graph of y = f(x) shifted c units
to the right.
SHIFTING
Suppose c > 0.
To obtain the graph
of y = f(x) + c, shift
the graph of y = f(x)
a distance c units
upward.
To obtain the graph
of y = f(x) - c, shift
the graph of y = f(x)
a distance c units
downward.
SHIFTING
To obtain the graph of y = f(x - c), shift the graph of
y = f(x) a distance c units to the right.
To obtain the graph
of y = f(x + c), shift
the graph of y = f(x)
a distance c units to
the left.
STRETCHING AND REFLECTING
Now, let’s consider the stretching and
reflecting transformations.
If c > 1, then the graph
of y = cf(x) is the graph
of y = f(x) stretched by
a factor of c in the
vertical direction.
This is because
each y-coordinate is
multiplied by the same
number c.
STRETCHING AND REFLECTING
The graph of y = -f(x) is the graph
of y = f(x) reflected about the x-axis
because the point (x, y) is replaced by
the point (x, -y).
TRANSFORMATIONS
The results of other stretching,
compressing, and reflecting
transformations are given on the next
few slides.
TRANSFORMATIONS
Suppose c > 1.
To obtain the graph
of y = cf(x), stretch
the graph of y = f(x)
vertically by a factor
of c.
To obtain the graph
of y = (1/c)f(x),
compress the graph
of y = f(x) vertically by
a factor of c.
TRANSFORMATIONS
In order to obtain the graph of y = f(cx),
compress the graph of y = f(x) horizontally
by a factor of c.
To obtain the graph
of y = f(x/c), stretch
the graph of y = f(x)
horizontally by a factor
of c.
TRANSFORMATIONS
In order to obtain the graph of y = -f(x),
reflect the graph of y = f(x) about the x-axis.
To obtain the graph
of y = f(-x), reflect
the graph of y = f(x)
about the y-axis.
TRANSFORMATIONS
The figure illustrates these stretching
transformations when applied to the cosine
function with c = 2.
TRANSFORMATIONS
For instance, in order to get the graph of
y = 2 cos x, we multiply the y-coordinate of
each point on the graph of y = cos x by 2.
TRANSFORMATIONS
This means that the graph of y = cos x
gets stretched vertically by a factor of 2.
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 1
Given the graph of y x , use
transformations to graph:
a. y x 2
b. y x 2
c. y x
d. y 2 x
e. y x
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 1
The graph of the square root
function y x is shown in part (a).
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 1
In the other parts of the figure,
we sketch:
y x 2 by shifting 2 units downward.
y x 2 by shifting 2 units to the right.
y x by reflecting about the x-axis.
y2 x by stretching vertically by a factor of 2.
y x by reflecting about the y-axis.
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 2
Sketch the graph of the function
f(x) = x2 + 6x + 10.
Completing the square, we write the equation
of the graph as: y = x2 + 6x + 10 = (x + 3)2 + 1.
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 2
This means we obtain the desired graph by
starting with the parabola y = x2 and shifting
3 units to the left and then 1 unit upward.
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 3
Sketch the graphs of the following
functions.
a. y sin 2 x
b. y 1 sin x
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 3 a
We obtain the graph of y = sin 2x from that
of y = sin x by compressing horizontally by
a factor of 2.
Thus, whereas the period of y = sin x is 2 ,
the period of y = sin 2x is 2 /2 = .
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 3 b
To obtain the graph of y = 1 – sin x ,
we again start with y = sin x.
We reflect about the x-axis to get the graph of
y = -sin x.
Then, we shift 1 unit upward to get y = 1 – sin x.
TRANSFORMATIONS
Another transformation of some interest
is taking the absolute value of a function.
If y = |f(x)|, then, according to the definition
of absolute value, y = f(x) when f(x) ≥ 0 and
y = -f(x) when f(x) < 0.
TRANSFORMATIONS
This tells us how to get the graph
of y = |f(x)| from the graph of y = f(x).
The part of the graph that lies above the x-axis
remains the same.
The part that lies below the x-axis is reflected
about the x-axis.
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 5
Sketch the graph of the function
y x 1 .
2
First, we graph the parabola
y = x2 - 1 by shifting the
parabola y = x2 downward
1 unit.
We see the graph lies below
the x-axis when -1 < x < 1.
TRANSFORMATIONS Example 5
So, we reflect that part of the graph
about the x-axis to obtain the graph
of y = |x2 - 1|.
COMBINATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
Two functions f and g can be combined
f
to form new functions f + g, f - g, fg, and
g
in a manner similar to the way we add,
subtract, multiply, and divide real numbers.
SUM AND DIFFERENCE
The sum and difference functions are
defined by:
(f + g)x = f(x) + g(x) (f – g)x = f(x) – g(x)
If the domain of f is A and the domain of g is B,
then the domain of f + g is the intersection A B .
This is because both f(x) and g(x) have to be defined.
SUM AND DIFFERENCE
For example, the domain of f ( x) x
is A [0, ) and the domain of g ( x ) 2 x
is B (, 2] .
So, the domain of ( f g ) x x 2 x
is A B [0, 2] .
PRODUCT AND QUOTIENT
Similarly, the product and quotient
functions are defined by:
f f ( x)
( fg )( x) f ( x) g ( x) ( x)
g g ( x)
The domain of fg is A B .
However, we can’t divide by 0.
So, the domain of f/g is x A B | g ( x) 0.
PRODUCT AND QUOTIENT
For instance, if f(x) = x2 and g(x) = x - 1,
then the domain of the rational function
( f / g )( x) x /( x 1) is x | x 1 ,
2
or (,1) (1, ).
COMBINATIONS
There is another way of combining two
functions to obtain a new function.
For example, suppose that y f (u) u
and u g ( x) x 2 1.
Since y is a function of u and u is, in turn,
a function of x, it follows that y is ultimately
a function of x.
We compute this by substitution:
y f (u ) f ( g ( x)) f ( x 2 1) x 2 1
COMBINATIONS
This procedure is called composition—
because the new function is composed
of the two given functions f and g.
COMPOSITION
In general, given any two functions f and g,
we start with a number x in the domain of g
and find its image g(x).
If this number g(x) is in the domain of f, then
we can calculate the value of f(g(x)).
The result is a new function h(x) = f(g(x))
obtained by substituting g into f.
It is called the composition (or composite) of f and g.
It is denoted by f g (“f circle g”).
COMPOSITION Definition
Given two functions f and g,
the composite function f g
(also called the composition of f and g)
is defined by:
( f g )( x) f ( g ( x))
COMPOSITION
The domain of f g is the set of all x
in the domain of g such that g(x) is in
the domain of f.
In other words, ( f g )( x) is defined whenever
both g(x) and f(g(x)) are defined.
COMPOSITION
The figure shows
how to picture f g
in terms of machines.
COMPOSITION Example 6
If f(x) = x2 and g(x) = x - 3, find
the composite functions f g and g f .
We have:
( f g )( x) f ( g ( x)) f ( x 3) ( x 3) 2
( g f )( x) g ( f ( x)) g ( x 2 ) x 2 3
COMPOSITION Note
You can see from Example 6 that,
in general, f g g f .
Remember, the notation f g means that, first,
the function g is applied and, then, f is applied.
In Example 6, f g is the function that first
subtracts 3 and then squares; g f is the
function that first squares and then subtracts 3.
COMPOSITION Example 7
If f ( x) x and g ( x ) 2 x ,
find each function and its domain.
a. f g
b. g f
c. f f
d. g g
COMPOSITION Example 7 a
(f g )( x) f ( g ( x)) f ( 2 x) 2 x 4 2 x
The domain of f g is:
x | 2 x 0 x | x 2 (, 2]
COMPOSITION Example 7 b
(g f )( x) g ( f ( x)) g ( x ) 2 x
For x to be defined, we must have x 0.
For 2 x to be defined, we must have 2 x 0 ,
that is, x 2 , or x 4.
Thus, we have 0 x 4.
So, the domain of g f is the closed interval [0, 4].
COMPOSITION Example 7 c
(f f )( x) f ( f ( x)) f ( x ) x x 4
The domain of f f is [0, ) .
COMPOSITION Example 7 d
( g g )( x) g ( g ( x) g ( 2 x ) 2 2 x
This expression is defined when both 2 x 0 and
2 2 x 0.
The first inequality means x 2 .
The second is equivalent to 2 x 2 , or 2 x 4,
or x 2.
Thus, 2 x 2, so the domain of g g is
the closed interval [-2, 2].
COMPOSITION
It is possible to take the composition
of three or more functions.
For instance, the composite function f g h
is found by first applying h, then g, and then f
as follows:
( f g h)( x) f ( g (h( x)))
COMPOSITION Example 8
Find f g h if f ( x) x /( x 1) ,
g ( x) x and h( x) x 3 .
10
( f og oh)(x) f (g(h(x)))
(x 3) 10
f (g(x 3)) f ((x 3)10 )
(x 3) 1
10
COMPOSITION
So far, we have used composition to build
complicated functions from simpler ones.
However, in calculus, it is often useful
to be able to decompose a complicated
function into simpler ones—as in the
following example.
COMPOSITION Example 9
Given F ( x) cos ( x 9) , find functions
2
f, g, and h such that F f g h .
Since F(x) = [cos(x + 9)]2, the formula for F states:
First add 9, then take the cosine of the result,
and finally square.
So, we let:
h( x ) x 9
g ( x ) cos x
f ( x) x 2
COMPOSITION Example 9
Then,
(f g h)( x)
f ( g (h( x)))
f ( g ( x 9))
f (cos( x 9))
[cos( x 9)] 2
F ( x)
THE END…
