Math Problem Statement

f(x) = x/(x+3) g(x) = 2/x Find the domain of the composite function f(g(x))

Solution

To find the domain of the composite function f(g(x))f(g(x)), we need to follow these steps:

  1. Find the domain of g(x)g(x): The function g(x)=2xg(x) = \frac{2}{x} is defined for all xx except where the denominator is zero. So, the domain of g(x)g(x) is: x0x \neq 0

  2. Find the composite function f(g(x))f(g(x)): We substitute g(x)g(x) into f(x)f(x): f(g(x))=f(2x)=2x2x+3f(g(x)) = f\left(\frac{2}{x}\right) = \frac{\frac{2}{x}}{\frac{2}{x} + 3} Simplifying this expression: f(g(x))=2x2+3xx=22+3xf(g(x)) = \frac{\frac{2}{x}}{\frac{2 + 3x}{x}} = \frac{2}{2 + 3x}

  3. Find the domain of f(g(x))f(g(x)): Now, we need to determine where this expression is undefined. The denominator of f(g(x))f(g(x)) is 2+3x2 + 3x, and this is undefined when: 2+3x=0x=232 + 3x = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = -\frac{2}{3} Therefore, x23x \neq -\frac{2}{3}.

  4. Combine the restrictions: The domain of f(g(x))f(g(x)) will be the values of xx where both g(x)g(x) and f(g(x))f(g(x)) are defined. From step 1, x0x \neq 0, and from step 3, x23x \neq -\frac{2}{3}.

Thus, the domain of f(g(x))f(g(x)) is: xR{0,23}x \in \mathbb{R} \setminus \left\{0, -\frac{2}{3}\right\} Or in interval notation: (,23)(23,0)(0,)(-\infty, -\frac{2}{3}) \cup (-\frac{2}{3}, 0) \cup (0, \infty)

Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are some related questions for further practice:

  1. How would the domain change if f(x)=x+1x+3f(x) = \frac{x+1}{x+3}?
  2. Find the range of f(g(x))f(g(x)) for f(x)=xx+3f(x) = \frac{x}{x+3} and g(x)=2xg(x) = \frac{2}{x}.
  3. Determine the domain of f(h(x))f(h(x)) if h(x)=xh(x) = \sqrt{x} and f(x)=xx+3f(x) = \frac{x}{x+3}.
  4. If g(x)=x2g(x) = x - 2, what is the domain of f(g(x))f(g(x)) when f(x)=xx+3f(x) = \frac{x}{x+3}?
  5. Solve for the composite function f(g(x))f(g(x)) if f(x)=xx+2f(x) = \frac{x}{x+2} and g(x)=1xg(x) = \frac{1}{x}.

Tip: Always analyze the domain restrictions of individual functions before forming composite functions to avoid undefined values!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Functions
Composite Functions
Domain of a Function
Rational Expressions

Formulas

Composite function formula: (f ∘ g)(x) = f(g(x))
Domain of a rational function: The expression is undefined where the denominator equals zero.

Theorems

Domain of Composite Functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11