Math Problem Statement

The functions f and g are defined as f(x) = 1/x and g(x) = x - 7. a) Find the domain of f, g, f + g, f - g, fg, ff, f/g, and g/f. b) Find (f + g)(x), (f - g)(x), (fg)(x), (ff)(x), (f/g)(x), and (g/f)(x).

Solution

Let's analyze and solve the given problems step by step.

Functions given:

  • f(x)=1xf(x) = \frac{1}{x}
  • g(x)=x7g(x) = x - 7

Part (a): Find the domain of the following functions:

  1. Domain of f(x)=1xf(x) = \frac{1}{x}:

    • f(x)f(x) is undefined when x=0x = 0, because division by zero is undefined.
    • Therefore, the domain of f(x)f(x) is x(,0)(0,)x \in (-\infty, 0) \cup (0, \infty).
  2. Domain of g(x)=x7g(x) = x - 7:

    • g(x)g(x) is defined for all real numbers, so the domain is (,)(-\infty, \infty).
  3. Domain of f+gf + g:

    • f+gf + g is the sum of f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x), i.e., f(x)+g(x)=1x+(x7)f(x) + g(x) = \frac{1}{x} + (x - 7).
    • The domain of f+gf + g is restricted by the domain of f(x)f(x), which excludes x=0x = 0.
    • So, the domain of f+gf + g is x(,0)(0,)x \in (-\infty, 0) \cup (0, \infty).
  4. Domain of fgf - g:

    • fgf - g is the difference of f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x), i.e., f(x)g(x)=1x(x7)f(x) - g(x) = \frac{1}{x} - (x - 7).
    • The domain is the same as for f+gf + g, which is x(,0)(0,)x \in (-\infty, 0) \cup (0, \infty).
  5. Domain of fgf \cdot g (product fgfg):

    • f(x)g(x)=1x(x7)=x7xf(x) \cdot g(x) = \frac{1}{x} \cdot (x - 7) = \frac{x - 7}{x}.
    • Again, this function is undefined at x=0x = 0, so the domain is x(,0)(0,)x \in (-\infty, 0) \cup (0, \infty).
  6. Domain of fff \circ f (composition ffff):

    • f(f(x))=f(1x)=11x=xf(f(x)) = f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{x}} = x.
    • Since f(x)f(x) is only defined for x0x \neq 0, the domain of fff \circ f is x(,0)(0,)x \in (-\infty, 0) \cup (0, \infty).
  7. Domain of fg\frac{f}{g}:

    • f(x)g(x)=1xx7=1x(x7)\frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{\frac{1}{x}}{x - 7} = \frac{1}{x(x - 7)}.
    • This function is undefined when x=0x = 0 or x=7x = 7 (since g(x)=0g(x) = 0 when x=7x = 7).
    • Therefore, the domain is x(,0)(0,7)(7,)x \in (-\infty, 0) \cup (0, 7) \cup (7, \infty).
  8. Domain of gf\frac{g}{f}:

    • g(x)f(x)=x71x=x(x7)\frac{g(x)}{f(x)} = \frac{x - 7}{\frac{1}{x}} = x(x - 7).
    • This function is undefined when x=0x = 0.
    • Therefore, the domain is x(,0)(0,)x \in (-\infty, 0) \cup (0, \infty).

Part (b): Find the following:

  1. (f+g)(x)(f + g)(x):

    • (f+g)(x)=1x+(x7)=1+x(x7)x=1+x27xx=x27x+1x(f + g)(x) = \frac{1}{x} + (x - 7) = \frac{1 + x(x - 7)}{x} = \frac{1 + x^2 - 7x}{x} = \frac{x^2 - 7x + 1}{x}.
  2. (fg)(x)(f - g)(x):

    • (fg)(x)=1x(x7)=1x(x7)x=1x2+7xx=x2+7x+1x(f - g)(x) = \frac{1}{x} - (x - 7) = \frac{1 - x(x - 7)}{x} = \frac{1 - x^2 + 7x}{x} = \frac{-x^2 + 7x + 1}{x}.
  3. (fg)(x)(fg)(x):

    • (fg)(x)=f(x)g(x)=1x(x7)=x7x(fg)(x) = f(x) \cdot g(x) = \frac{1}{x} \cdot (x - 7) = \frac{x - 7}{x}.
  4. (ff)(x)(ff)(x):

    • (ff)(x)=f(f(x))=f(1x)=11x=x(ff)(x) = f(f(x)) = f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{x}} = x.
  5. (fg)(x)\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x):

    • (fg)(x)=1xx7=1x(x7)\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x) = \frac{\frac{1}{x}}{x - 7} = \frac{1}{x(x - 7)}.
  6. (gf)(x)\left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(x):

    • (gf)(x)=x71x=x(x7)=x27x\left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(x) = \frac{x - 7}{\frac{1}{x}} = x(x - 7) = x^2 - 7x.

Let me know if you want further clarification on any of these steps!

Here are five related questions to extend the problem:

  1. What is the range of f(x)=1xf(x) = \frac{1}{x} and g(x)=x7g(x) = x - 7?
  2. How would you find the inverse functions of f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x)?
  3. What is the composition g(f(x))g(f(x)), and what is its domain?
  4. What is the behavior of f(x)+g(x)f(x) + g(x) as xx \to \infty?
  5. How do you simplify f(x)f(g(x))f(x) \cdot f(g(x))?

Tip: Always check for restrictions in the domain when dealing with fractions and compositions of functions to avoid undefined expressions.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Functions
Domain and Range
Function Operations
Algebra

Formulas

Sum of functions: (f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x)
Difference of functions: (f - g)(x) = f(x) - g(x)
Product of functions: (fg)(x) = f(x) * g(x)
Composition of functions: (ff)(x) = f(f(x))
Quotient of functions: (f/g)(x) = f(x) / g(x)

Theorems

Domain Restrictions for Rational Functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12