c
 




Another useful combination of two functions f and g is the composition of these two
functions. Let f : X ’ Y and g : Y ’ Z be two functions.

We define a function h : X ’ Z by setting h(x) = g(f(x). To obtain h(x), we first take the
f-image f(x), of an element x in X so that f(x) İ Y, which is the domain of g(x) and then
take the g-image of f(x), that is, g(f(x)), which is an element of Z. The scheme is shown
in the figure.

The function h, defined above, is called the composition of f and g and is written gof.
Thus (gof)(x) = g(f(x)). Domain of gof = {x : x in domain f, f(x) in domain g}.

e.g. Let f : R ’ R be a function defined by f(x) = x 2 + 4 and g[0, ’) ’ R be a function

defined by g(x) = ¥x. Then gof(x) = g(f(x)) = ¥(x2 + 4). Domain of gof = R. Thus we
have gof : R ’ R defined by (gof)(x) = ¥(x2 + 4). Similarly, we shall have fog : [0, ’)
’ R defined by (fog)(x) = x + 4. Note that (gof)(x)  (fog)(x).

-  
 Two functions are defined as under :

Find fog and gof.

 
 (fog)(x) = f(g(x))

Let us consider, g(x) < 1 :

(i) x2 < 1, -1 < x < 2 => -1 < x < 1, -1 < x < 2 => -1 < x < 1

(ii) x2 + 2 < 1, 2 < x < 3 => x < -1, 2 < x < 3 => x = ij

Let us consider, 1 < g(x) < 2,

(iii) 1 < x2 < 2, -1 < x < 2

=> x İ [-¥2, -1) Ǒ (1,¥2] , -1 < x < 2 => 1 < x < ¥2

(iv) 1 < x+2 < 2, 2 < x < 3 => -1 < x < 0, 2 < x < 3, x = ij
 Let us consider -1 < f(x) < 2 :

(i) -1 < x+1 < 2, x < 1 => -2 < x < 1, x < 1 => -2 < x < 1

(ii) -1 < 2x+1 < 2, 1 < x < 2 => -1 , x < ½, 1 < x < 2 => x= ij

Let us consider 2 < f(x) < 3:

(iii) 2 < x+1 < 3 , x < 1 => x < 2 , x < 1 => x = 1

(iv) 2 < 2x+1 < 3, 1 < x < 2 => 1 < 2x < 2, 1 < x < 2

=> ½ < x < 1 , 1 < x < 2 => x = ij

If we like we can also write g(f(x)) = (x+1)2, -2 < x < 1.

Composite Functions

Problem of finding out fog and gof can also be handled using graphical methods

f(g(x))
Here g(x) becomes the variable that means we would draw the graph of g(x). It is clear that g(x) < 1 A
x İ [-1, 1] and 1 < g(x) < 2 A x İ (1, ¥2]

In this case f(x) becomes the variable and we will draw the graph of f(x). From the graph we observe
that -1 < f(x) < 2 A x İ [-2, 1) and f(x) = x + 1.

2 < f(x)) < 3 => x = 1 and f(x) = x + 1.

i.e. g(f(x)) = (x + 1)2, -2 < x < 1

IIT JEE study material is available online free of cost at askIITians.com. Study Physics, Chemistry and
Mathematics at askIITians website and be a winner. We offer numerous live online courses as well for
live online IIT JEE preparation - you do not need to travel anywhere any longer - just sit at your home
and study for IIT JEE live online with askIITians.com
?