Math Problem Statement

Let f and g be the functions whose graphs are shown below. (a) Find (g∘f)(3), (b) Find (f∘g)(-3), (c) Find (f∘f)(-1).

Solution

Let's analyze the given graph and solve each part of the question step by step.

Part (a): Find (gf)(3)(g \circ f)(3)

This means we need to evaluate g(f(3))g(f(3)).

  1. Step 1: Find f(3)f(3). From the graph, at x=3x = 3, the value of f(x)f(x) is f(3)=2f(3) = 2.

  2. Step 2: Find g(f(3))=g(2)g(f(3)) = g(2). Now, look at the graph of g(x)g(x). At x=2x = 2, g(2)=1g(2) = -1.

Thus, (gf)(3)=1(g \circ f)(3) = -1.

Part (b): Find (fg)(3)(f \circ g)(-3)

This means we need to evaluate f(g(3))f(g(-3)).

  1. Step 1: Find g(3)g(-3). From the graph, at x=3x = -3, the value of g(x)g(x) is g(3)=2g(-3) = 2.

  2. Step 2: Find f(g(3))=f(2)f(g(-3)) = f(2). Now, from the graph of f(x)f(x), at x=2x = 2, f(2)=3f(2) = 3.

Thus, (fg)(3)=3(f \circ g)(-3) = 3.

Part (c): Find (ff)(1)(f \circ f)(-1)

This means we need to evaluate f(f(1))f(f(-1)).

  1. Step 1: Find f(1)f(-1). From the graph of f(x)f(x), at x=1x = -1, f(1)=2f(-1) = 2.

  2. Step 2: Find f(f(1))=f(2)f(f(-1)) = f(2). From the graph, we know that f(2)=3f(2) = 3.

Thus, (ff)(1)=3(f \circ f)(-1) = 3.

Summary of Results:

  • (gf)(3)=1(g \circ f)(3) = -1
  • (fg)(3)=3(f \circ g)(-3) = 3
  • (ff)(1)=3(f \circ f)(-1) = 3

Would you like a more detailed explanation for any of these steps? Feel free to ask!

Here are 5 related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. How do we evaluate composite functions in general?
  2. What is the significance of the domain and range in function composition?
  3. How can you tell from a graph when a function is increasing or decreasing?
  4. How would you handle composite functions if the functions involved were not graphed?
  5. How does the behavior of ff and gg change as xx \to \infty?

Tip: When evaluating composite functions, always begin by solving the inner function first before moving on to the outer function.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Function Composition
Graph Interpretation

Formulas

(g∘f)(x) = g(f(x))
(f∘g)(x) = f(g(x))

Theorems

Function Composition

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12