1.5: Function Arithmetic

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In the previous section we used the newly defined function notation to make sense of expressions such as $\ \text{‘}f(x)+2\text{’}$ and $\ \text{‘}2f (x)\text{’}$ for a given function $\ f$. It would seem natural, then, that functions should have their own arithmetic which is consistent with the arithmetic of real numbers. The following definitions allow us to add, subtract, multiply and divide functions using the arithmetic we already know for real numbers.

Function Arithmetic

Suppose $\ f$ and $\ g$ are functions and $\ x$ is in both the domain of $\ f$ and the domain of $\ g$. ^a

The sum of $\ f$ and $\ g$, denoted $\ f + g$, is the function defined by the formula
$\ (f+g)(x)=f(x)+g(x)$
The difference of $\ f$ and $\ g$, denoted $\ f − g$, is the function defined by the formula
$\ (f-g)(x)=f(x)-g(x)$
The product of $\ f$ and $\ g$, denoted $\ fg$, is the function defined by the formula
$\ (f g)(x)=f(x) g(x)$
The quotient of $\ f$ and $\ g$, denoted $\ \frac{f}{g}$, is the function defined by the formula
$\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{f(x)}{g(x)},$

provided $\ g(x) \neq 0$.

^aThus $\ x$ is an element of the intersection of the two domains.

In other words, to add two functions, we add their outputs; to subtract two functions, we subtract their outputs, and so on. Note that while the formula $\ (f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x)$ looks suspiciously like some kind of distributive property, it is nothing of the sort; the addition on the left hand side of the equation is function addition, and we are using this equation to define the output of the new function $\ f + g$ as the sum of the real number outputs from $\ f$ and $\ g$.

Example 1.5.1

Let $\ f(x)=6 x^{2}-2 x$ and $\ g(x)=3-\frac{1}{x}$.

Find $\ (f+g)(-1)$
Find $\ (f g)(2)$
Find the domain of $\ g − f$ then find and simplify a formula for $\ (g − f)(x)$.
Find the domain of $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)$ then find and simplify a formula for $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(x)$.

Solution

To find $\ (f+g)(-1)$ we first find $\ f(−1) = 8$ and $\ g(−1) = 4$. By definition, we have that $\ (f + g)(−1) = f(−1) + g(−1) = 8 + 4 = 12$.
To find $\ (fg)(2)$, we first need $\ f(2)$ and $\ g(2)$. Since $\ f(2) = 20$ and $\ g(2)=\frac{5}{2}$, our formula yields $\ (f g)(2)=f(2) g(2)=(20)\left(\frac{5}{2}\right)=50$.
One method to find the domain of $\ g−f$ is to find the domain of $\ g$ and of $\ f$ separately, then find the intersection of these two sets. Owing to the denominator in the expression $\ g(x)=3-\frac{1}{x}$, we get that the domain of $\ g$ is $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$. Since $\ f(x)=6 x^{2}-2 x$ is valid for all real numbers, we have no further restrictions. Thus the domain of $\ g − f$ matches the domain of $\ g$, namely, $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$.
A second method is to analyze the formula for $\ (g − f)(x)$ before simplifying and look for the usual domain issues. In this case

$\ (g-f)(x)=g(x)-f(x)=\left(3-\frac{1}{x}\right)-\left(6 x^{2}-2 x\right),$

so we find, as before, the domain $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$.

Moving along, we need to simplify a formula for $\ (g − f)(x)$. In this case, we get common denominators and attempt to reduce the resulting fraction. Doing so, we get

$\ \begin{aligned}
(g-f)(x) &=g(x)-f(x) \\
&=\left(3-\frac{1}{x}\right)-\left(6 x^{2}-2 x\right) \\
&=3-\frac{1}{x}-6 x^{2}+2 x \\
&=\frac{3 x}{x}-\frac{1}{x}-\frac{6 x^{3}}{x}+\frac{2 x^{2}}{x} \quad\quad\quad \text { get common denominators } \\
&=\frac{3 x-1-6 x^{3}-2 x^{2}}{x} \\
&=\frac{-6 x^{3}-2 x^{2}+3 x-1}{x}
\end{aligned}$
As in the previous example, we have two ways to approach finding the domain $\ \frac{g}{f}$. . First, we can find the domain of $\ g$ and $\ f$ separately, and find the intersection of these two sets. In addition, since $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(x)=\frac{g(x)}{f(x)}$, we are introducing a new denominator, namely $\ f(x)$, so we need to guard against this being 0 as well. Our previous work tells us that the domain of $\ g$ is $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$ and the domain of $\ f$ is $\ (-\infty, \infty)$. Setting $\ f(x) = 0$ gives $\ 6 x^{2}-2 x=0$ or $\ x=0, \frac{1}{3}$. As a result, the domain of $\ \frac{g}{f}$ is all real numbers except $\ x = 0$ and $\ x=\frac{1}{3}$, or $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup\left(0, \frac{1}{3}\right) \cup\left(\frac{1}{3}, \infty\right)$.
Alternatively, we may proceed as above and analyze the expression $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(x)=\frac{g(x)}{f(x)}$ before simplifying. In this case,

$\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(x)=\frac{g(x)}{f(x)}=\frac{3-\frac{1}{x}}{6 x^{2}-2 x}$

We see immediately from the ‘little’ denominator that $\ x \neq 0$. To keep the ‘big’ denominator away from 0, we solve $\ 6 x^{2}-2 x=0$ and get $\ x=0$ or $\ x=\frac{1}{3}$. Hence, as before, we find the domain of $\ \frac{g}{f}$ to be $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup\left(0, \frac{1}{3}\right) \cup\left(\frac{1}{3}, \infty\right)$.

Next, we find and simplify a formula for $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(x)$.

$\ \begin{aligned}
\left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(x) &=\frac{g(x)}{f(x)} \\
&=\frac{3-\frac{1}{x}}{6 x^{2}-2 x} \\
&=\frac{3-\frac{1}{x}}{6 x^{2}-2 x} \cdot \frac{x}{x} &\quad \text {simplify compound fractions } \\
&=\frac{\left(3-\frac{1}{x}\right) x}{\left(6 x^{2}-2 x\right) x} \\
&=\frac{3 x-1}{\left(6 x^{2}-2 x\right) x} \\
&=\frac{3 x-1}{2 x^{2}(3 x-1)} &\quad \text{factor}\\
&=\frac{\cancelto{~}{(3 x-1)^1}}{\cancel{2 x^{2}(3 x-1)}} &\quad \text{cancel} \\
&=\frac{1}{2 x^{2}} \\
\end{aligned}$

Please note the importance of finding the domain of a function before simplifying its expression. In number 4 in Example 1.5.1 above, had we waited to find the domain of $\ \frac{g}{f}$ until after simplifying, we’d just have the formula $\ \frac{1}{2 x^{2}}$ to go by, and we would (incorrectly!) state the domain as $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$, since the other troublesome number, $\ x=\frac{1}{3}$, was canceled away.¹

Next, we turn our attention to the difference quotient of a function.

Definition 1.8

Given a function $\ f$, the difference quotient of $\ f$ is the expression

$\ \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}$

We will revisit this concept in Section 2.1, but for now, we use it as a way to practice function notation and function arithmetic. For reasons which will become clear in Calculus, ‘simplifying’ a difference quotient means rewriting it in a form where the $\ \text{‘}h^\text{’}$ in the definition of the difference quotient cancels from the denominator. Once that happens, we consider our work to be done.

Example 1.5.2

Find and simplify the difference quotients for the following functions

$\ f(x)=x^{2}-x-2$
$\ g(x)=\frac{3}{2 x+1}$
$\ r(x)=\sqrt{x}$

Solution

To find $\ f(x+h)$, we replace every occurrence of $\ x$ in the formula $\ f(x)=x^{2}-x-2$ with the quantity $\ (x + h)$ to get
$\ \begin{aligned}
f(x+h) &=(x+h)^{2}-(x+h)-2 \\
&=x^{2}+2 x h+h^{2}-x-h-2.
\end{aligned}$

So the difference quotient is

$\ \begin{array}{rlr}
\frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h} & =\frac{\left(x^{2}+2 x h+h^{2}-x-h-2\right)-\left(x^{2}-x-2\right)}{h} & \\
& =\frac{x^{2}+2 x h+h^{2}-x-h-2-x^{2}+x+2}{h} & \\
& =\frac{2 x h+h^{2}-h}{h} \\
& =\frac{h(2 x+h-1)}{h} & \text { factor } \\
& =\frac{\cancel{h}(2 x+h-1)}{\cancel{h}} & \text { cancel } \\
& =2 x+h-1 . &
\end{array}$
To find $\ g(x + h)$, we replace every occurrence of $\ x$ in the formula $\ g(x)=\frac{3}{2 x+1}$ with the quantity $\ (x + h)$ to get
$\ \begin{aligned}
g(x+h) &=\frac{3}{2(x+h)+1} \\
&=\frac{3}{2 x+2 h+1},
\end{aligned}$

which yields

$\ \begin{aligned}
\frac{g(x+h)-g(x)}{h} &=\frac{\frac{3}{2 x+2 h+1}-\frac{3}{2 x+1}}{h} \\
&=\frac{\frac{3}{2 x+2 h+1}-\frac{3}{2 x+1}}{h} \cdot \frac{(2 x+2 h+1)(2 x+1)}{(2 x+2 h+1)(2 x+1)} \\
&=\frac{3(2 x+1)-3(2 x+2 h+1)}{h(2 x+2 h+1)(2 x+1)} \\
&=\frac{6 x+3-6 x-6 h-3}{h(2 x+2 h+1)(2 x+1)} \\
&=\frac{-6 h}{h(2 x+2 h+1)(2 x+1)} \\
&=\frac{-6 \cancel{h}}{\cancel{h}(2 x+2 h+1)(2 x+1)} \\
&=\frac{-6}{(2 x+2 h+1)(2 x+1)}
\end{aligned}$

Since we have managed to cancel the original $\ \text{‘}h\text{’}$ from the denominator, we are done.
For $\ r(x)=\sqrt{x}$, we get $\ r(x+h)=\sqrt{x+h}$ so the difference quotient is
$\ \frac{r(x+h)-r(x)}{h}=\frac{\sqrt{x+h}-\sqrt{x}}{h}$

In order to cancel the $\ \text{‘}h\text{’}$ from the denominator, we rationalize the numerator by multiplying by its conjugate.²

$\ \begin{aligned}
\frac{r(x+h)-r(x)}{h} &=\frac{\sqrt{x+h}-\sqrt{x}}{h} \\
&=\frac{(\sqrt{x+h}-\sqrt{x})}{h} \cdot \frac{(\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x})}{(\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x})} \quad &\text { Multiply by the conjugate. } \\
&=\frac{(\sqrt{x+h})^{2}-(\sqrt{x})^{2}}{h(\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x})} \quad &\text { Difference of Squares. } \\
&=\frac{(x+h)-x}{h(\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x})} \\
&=\frac{\cancelto{~}h^1}{\cancel{h}(\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x})} \\
&=\frac{1}{\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x}}
\end{aligned}$

Since we have removed the original $\ \text{‘}h\text{’}$ from the denominator, we a

done. As mentioned before, we will revisit difference quotients in Section 2.1 where we will explain them geometrically. For now, we want to move on to some classic applications of function arithmetic from Economics and for that, we need to think like an entrepreneur.³

neur.3 Suppose you are a manufacturer making a certain product.⁴ Let $\ x$ be the production level, that is, the number of items produced in a given time period. It is customary to let $\ C(x)$ denote the function which calculates the total cost of producing the $\ x$ items. The quantity $\ C(0)$, which represents the cost of producing no items, is called the fixed cost, and represents the amount of money required to begin production. Associated with the total cost $\ C(x)$ is cost per item, or average cost, denoted $\ \overline{C}(x)$ and read $\ \text {‘C-bar’}$ of $\ x$. To compute $\ \overline{C}(x)$, we take the total cost $\ C(x)$ and divide by the number of items produced $\ x$ to get

$\ \overline{C}(x)=\frac{C(x)}{x}$

On the retail end, we have the price $\ p$ charged per item. To simplify the dialog and computations in this text, we assume that the number of items sold equals the number of items produced. From a retail perspective, it seems natural to think of the number of items sold, $\ x$, as a function of the price charged, $\ p$. After all, the retailer can easily adjust the price to sell more product. In the language of functions, $\ x$ would be the dependent variable and $\ p$ would be the independent variable or, using function notation, we have a function $\ x(p)$. While we will adopt this convention later in the text,⁵ we will hold with tradition at this point and consider the price $\ p$ as a function of the number of items sold, $\ x$. That is, we regard $\ x$ as the independent variable and $\ p$ as the dependent variable and speak of the price-demand function, $\ p(x)$. Hence, $\ p(x)$ returns the price charged per item when $\ x$ items are produced and sold. Our next function to consider is the revenue function, $\ R(x)$. The function $\ R(x)$ computes the amount of money collected as a result of selling $\ x$ items. Since p(x) is the price charged per item, we have $\ R(x) = xp(x)$. Finally, the profit function, $\ P(x)$ calculates how much money is earned after the costs are paid. That is, $\ P(x) = (R − C)(x) = R(x) − C(x)$. We summarize all of these functions below.

Summary of Common Economic Functions

Suppose $\ x$ represents the quantity of items produced and sold.

The price-demand function $\ p(x)$ calculates the price per item.
The revenue function $\ R(x)$ calculates the total money collected by selling $\ x$ items at a price $\ p(x)$, $\ R(x) = x p(x)$.
The cost function $\ C(x)$ calculates the cost to produce $\ x$ items. The value $\ C(0)$ is called the fixed cost or start-up cost.
The average cost function $\ \overline{C}(x)=\frac{C(x)}{x}$ calculates the cost per item when making $\ x$ items. Here, we necessarily assume $\ x > 0$.
The profit function $\ P(x)$ calculates the money earned after costs are paid when $\ x$ items are produced and sold, $\ P(x) = (R − C)(x) = R(x) − C(x)$.

It is high time for an example.

Example 1.5.3

Let $\ x$ represent the number of dOpi media players (‘dOpis’⁶) produced and sold in a typical week. Suppose the cost, in dollars, to produce $\ x$ dOpis is given by $\ C(x) = 100x+ 2000$, for $\ x ≥ 0$, and the price, in dollars per dOpi, is given by $\ p(x) = 450 − 15x for 0 ≤ x ≤ 30$.

Find and interpret $\ C(0)$.
Find and interpret $\ \overline{C}(10)$.
Find and interpret $\ p(0)$ and $\ p(20)$.
Solve $\ p(x) = 0$ and interpret the result.
Find and simplify expressions for the revenue function $\ R(x)$ and the profit function $\ P(x)$.
Find and interpret $\ R(0)$ and $\ P(0)$.
Solve $\ P(x) = 0$ and interpret the result.

Solution

We substitute $\ x = 0$ into the formula for $\ C(x)$ and get $\ C(0) = 100(0) + 2000 = 2000$. This means to produce 0 dOpis, it costs $2000. In other words, the fixed (or start-up) costs are $2000. The reader is encouraged to contemplate what sorts of expenses these might be.
Since $\ \overline{C}(x)=\frac{C(x)}{x}, \overline{C}(10)=\frac{C(10)}{10}=\frac{3000}{10}=300$. This means when 10 dOpis are produced, the cost to manufacture them amounts to $300 per dOpi.
Plugging $\ x = 0$ into the expression for $\ p(x)$ gives $\ p(0) = 450 − 15(0) = 450$. This means no dOpis are sold if the price is $450 per dOpi. On the other hand, $\ p(20) = 450 − 15(20) = 150$ which means to sell 20 dOpis in a typical week, the price should be set at $150 per dOpi.
Setting $\ p(x) = 0$ gives $\ 450 − 15x = 0$. Solving gives $\ x = 30$. This means in order to sell 30 dOpis in a typical week, the price needs to be set to $0. What’s more, this means that even if dOpis were given away for free, the retailer would only be able to move 30 of them.⁷
To find the revenue, we compute $\ R(x)=x p(x)=x(450-15 x)=450 x-15 x^{2}$. Since the formula for $\ p(x)$ is valid only for $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 30$, our formula $\ R(x)$ is also restricted to $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 30$. Since the formula for $\ p(x)$ is valid only for $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 30$, our formula $\ R(x)$ is also restricted to $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 30$. Using the given formula for $\ C(x)$ and the derived formula for $\ R(x)$, we get $\ P(x)=\left(450 x-15 x^{2}\right)-(100 x+2000)=-15 x^{2}+350 x-2000$. As before, the validity of this formula is for $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 30$ only.
We find $\ R(0) = 0$ which means if no dOpis are sold, we have no revenue, which makes sense. Turning to profit, $\ P(0) = −2000 since P(x) = R(x)−C(x) and P(0) = R(0)−C(0) = −2000$. This means that if no dOpis are sold, more money ($2000 to be exact!) was put into producing the dOpis than was recouped in sales. In number 1, we found the fixed costs to be $2000, so it makes sense that if we sell no dOpis, we are out those start-up costs.
Setting $\ P(x) = 0$ give $\ -15 x^{2}+350 x-2000=0$. Factoring give $\ -5(x-10)(3 x-40)=0$ so $\ x = 10$ or $\ x=\frac{40}{3}$. What do these values mean in the context of the problem? Since $\ P(x) = R(x) − C(x)$, solving $\ P(x) = 0$ is the same as solving $\ R(x) = C(x)$. This means that the solutions to $\ P(x) = 0$ are the production (and sales) figures for which the sales revenue exactly balances the total production costs. These are the so-called ‘break even’ points. The solution $\ x = 10$ means 10 dOpis should be produced (and sold) during the week to recoup the cost of production. For $\ x=\frac{40}{3}=13 . \overline{3}$, things are a bit more complicated. Even though $\ x=13 . \overline{3}$ satisfies $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 30$, and hence is in the domain of $\ P$, it doesn’t make sense in the context of this problem to produce a fractional part of a dOpi.⁸ Evaluating $\ P(13) = 15$ and $\ P(14) = −40$, we see that producing and selling 13 dOpis per week makes a (slight) profit, whereas producing just one more puts us back into the red. While breaking even is nice, we ultimately would like to find what production level (and price) will result in the largest profit, and we’ll do just that . . . in Section 2.3.

1.5.1 Exercises

In Exercises 1 - 10, use the pair of functions $\ f$ and $\ g$ to find the following values if they exist.

$\ (f + g)(2)$
$\ (f − g)(−1) $
$\ (g − f)(1)$
$\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)$
$\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)$
$\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)$

$\ f(x) = 3x + 1$ and $\ g(x) = 4 − x$
$\ f(x)=x^{2}$ and $\ g(x) = −2x + 1$
$\ f(x)=x^{2}-x$ and $\ g(x)=12-x^{2}$
$\ f(x)=2 x^{3}$ and $\ g(x)=-x^{2}-2 x-3$
$\ f(x)=\sqrt{x+3}$ and $\ g(x) = 2x − 1$
$\ f(x)=\sqrt{4-x}$ and $\ g(x)=\sqrt{x+2}$
$\ f(x)=2 x$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{1}{2 x+1}$
$\ f(x)=x^{2}$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{3}{2 x-3}$
$\ f(x)=x^{2}$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{1}{x^{2}}$
$\ f(x)=x^{2}+1$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{1}{x^{2}+1}$

In Exercises 11 - 20, use the pair of functions $\ f$ and $\ g$ to find the domain of the indicated function then find and simplify an expression for it.

$\ (f + g)(x)$
$\ (f − g)(x)$
$\ (fg)(x)$
$\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)$

$\ f(x) = 2x + 1$ and $\ g(x) = x − 2$
$\ f(x) = 1 − 4x$ and $\ g(x) = 2x − 1$
$\ f(x)=x^{2}$ and $\ g(x) = 3x − 1$
$\ f(x)=x^{2}-x$ and $\ g(x) = 7x$
$\ f(x)=x^{2}-4$ and $\ g(x) = 3x + 6$
$\ f(x)=-x^{2}+x+6$ and $\ g(x)=x^{2}-9$
$\ f(x)=\frac{x}{2}$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{2}{x}$
$\ f(x) = x − 1$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{1}{x-1}$
$\ f(x) = x$ and $\ g(x)=\sqrt{x+1}$
$\ f(x)=\sqrt{x-5}$ and $\ g(x)=f(x)=\sqrt{x-5}$

In Exercises 21 - 45, find and simplify the difference quotient $\ \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}$ for the given function.

$\ f(x) = 2x − 5$
$\ f(x) = −3x + 5$
$\ f(x) = 6$
$\ f(x)=3 x^{2}-x$
$\ f(x)=-x^{2}+2 x-1$
$\ f(x)=4 x^{2}$
$\ f(x)=x-x^{2}$
$\ f(x)=x^{3}+1$
$\ f(x) = mx + b$ where $\ m \neq 0$
$\ f(x)=a x^{2}+b x+c$ where $\ a \neq 0$
$\ f(x)=\frac{2}{x}$
$\ f(x)=\frac{3}{1-x}$
$\ f(x)=\frac{1}{x^{2}}$
$\ f(x)=\frac{2}{x+5}$
$\ f(x)=\frac{1}{4 x-3}$
$\ f(x)=\frac{3 x}{x+1}$
$\ f(x)=\frac{x}{x-9}$
$\ f(x)=\frac{x^{2}}{2 x+1}$
$\ f(x)=\sqrt{x-9}$
$\ f(x)=\sqrt{2 x+1}$
$\ f(x)=\sqrt{-4 x+5}$
$\ f(x)=\sqrt{4-x}$
$\ f(x)=\sqrt{a x+b}$, where $\ a \neq 0$.
$\ f(x)=x \sqrt{x}$
$\ f(x)=\sqrt[3]{x}$. HINT: $\ (a-b)\left(a^{2}+a b+b^{2}\right)=a^{3}-b^{3}$

In Exercises 46 - 50, $\ C(x)$ denotes the cost to produce $\ x$ items and $\ p(x)$ denotes the price-demand function in the given economic scenario. In each Exercise, do the following

Find and interpret $\ C(0)$.
Find and interpret $\ \overline{C}(10)$.
Find and interpret $\ p(5)$.
Find and simplify $\ R(x)$.
Find and simplify $\ P(x)$.
Solve $\ P(x) = 0$ and interpret.

The cost, in dollars, to produce $\ x$ “I’d rather be a Sasquatch” T-Shirts is $\ C(x) = 2x + 26$, $\ x ≥ 0$ and the price-demand function, in dollars per shirt, is $\ p(x) = 30 − 2x$, $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 15$.
The cost, in dollars, to produce $\ x$ bottles of 100% All-Natural Certified Free-Trade Organic Sasquatch Tonic is $\ C(x) = 10x + 100$, $\ x ≥ 0$ and the price-demand function, in dollars per bottle, is $\ p(x) = 35 − x, 0 ≤ x ≤ 35$.
The cost, in cents, to produce x cups of Mountain Thunder Lemonade at Junior’s Lemonade Stand is $\ C(x) = 18x + 240$, $\ x ≥ 0$ and the price-demand function, in cents per cup, is $\ p(x) = 90 − 3x, 0 ≤ x ≤ 30$.
The daily cost, in dollars, to produce $\ x$ Sasquatch Berry Pies $\ C(x) = 3x + 36$, $\ x ≥ 0$ and the price-demand function, in dollars per pie, is $\ p(x) = 12 − 0.5x$, $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 24$.
The monthly cost, in hundreds of dollars, to produce x custom built electric scooters is $\ C(x) = 20x + 1000$, $\ x ≥ 0$ and the price-demand function, in hundreds of dollars per scooter, is $\ p(x) = 140 − 2x$, $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 70$.

In Exercises 51 - 62, let f be the function defined by

$\ f=\{(-3,4),(-2,2),(-1,0),(0,1),(1,3),(2,4),(3,-1)\}$

and let $\ g$ be the function defined

$\ g=\{(-3,-2),(-2,0),(-1,-4),(0,0),(1,-3),(2,1),(3,2)\}$

Compute the indicated value if it exists.

$\ (f + g)(−3)$
$\ (f − g)(2)$
$\ (fg)(−1)$
$\ (g + f)(1)$
$\ (g − f)(3)$
$\ (gf)(−3)$
$\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(-2)$
$\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(-1)$
$\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(2)$
$\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-1)$
$\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(3)$
$\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-3)$

1.5.2 Answers

For $\ f(x) = 3x + 1$ and $\ g(x) = 4 − x$
- $\ (f + g)(2) = 9$
- $\ (f − g)(−1) = −7$
- $\ (g − f)(1) = −1$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=\frac{35}{4}$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=\frac{1}{4}$
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=-\frac{6}{5}$
For $\ f(x)=x^{2}$ and $\ g(x)=-2 x+1$
- $\ (f + g)(2) = 1$
- $\ (f − g)(−1) = − 2$
- $\ (g − f)(1) = − 2$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=0$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=0$
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=\frac{5}{4}$
For $\ f(x)=x^{2}-x$ and $\ g(x)=12-x^{2}$
- $\ (f + g)(2) = 10$
- $\ (f − g)(−1) = − 9$
- $\ (g − f)(1) = 11$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=-\frac{47}{16}$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=0$
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=\frac{4}{3}$
For $\ f(x)=2 x^{3}$ and $\ g(x)=-x^{2}-2 x-3$
- $\ (f + g)(2) = 5$
- $\ (f − g)(−1) = 0$
- $\ (g − f)(1) = − 8$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=-\frac{17}{16}$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=0$
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=\frac{3}{16}$
For $\ f(x)=\sqrt{x+3}$ and $\ g(x) = 2x - 1$
- $\ (f+g)(2)=3+\sqrt{5}$
- $\ (f-g)(-1)=3+\sqrt{2}$
- $\ (g − f)(1) = -1$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=0$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=-\sqrt{3}$
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=-5$
For $\ f(x)=\sqrt{4-x}$ and $\ g(x)=\sqrt{x+2}$
- $\ (f+g)(2)=2+\sqrt{2}$
- $\ (f-g)(-1)=-1+\sqrt{5}$
- $\ (g − f)(1) = 0$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=\frac{\sqrt{35}}{2}$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=\sqrt{2}$
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=0$
For $\ f(x) = 2x$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{1}{2 x+1}$
- $\ (f+g)(2)=\frac{21}{5}$
- $\ (f − g)(−1) = −1$
- $\ (g-f)(1)=-\frac{5}{3}$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=\frac{1}{2}$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=0$
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=\frac{1}{12}$
For $\ f(x)=x^{2}$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{3}{2 x-3}$
- $\ (f + g)(2) = 7$
- $\ (f-g)(-1)=\frac{8}{5}$
- $\ (g − f)(1) = −4$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=-\frac{3}{8}$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=0$
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=-\frac{3}{28}$
For $\ f(x)=x^{2}$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{1}{x^{2}}$
- $\ (f+g)(2)=\frac{17}{4}$
- $\ (f − g)(−1) = 0$
- $\ (g − f)(1) = 0$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=1$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)$ is undefined.
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=\frac{1}{16}$
For $\ f(x)=x^{2}+1$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{1}{x^{2}+1}$
- $\ (f+g)(2)=\frac{26}{5}$
- $\ (f-g)(-1)=\frac{3}{2}$
- $\ (g-f)(1)=-\frac{3}{2}$
- $\ (f g)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=1$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=1$
- $\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-2)=\frac{1}{25}$
For For $\ f(x) = 2x + 1$ and $\ g(x) = x - 2$
- $\ (f + g)(x) = 3x - 1$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- ˆ$\ (f − g)(x) = x + 3$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f g)(x)=2 x^{2}-3 x-2$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{2 x+1}{x-2}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 2) \cup(2, \infty)$
For $\ f(x) = 1 − 4x$ and $\ g(x) = 2x - 1$
- ˆ (f + g)(x) = -2x
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- ˆ $\ (f − g)(x) = 2 - 6x$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f g)(x)=-8 x^{2}+6 x-1$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{1-4 x}{2 x-1}$
  Domain: $\ \left(-\infty, \frac{1}{2}\right) \cup\left(\frac{1}{2}, \infty\right)$
For $\ f(x)=x^{2}$ and $\ g(x) = 3x − 1$
- $\ (f+g)(x)=x^{2}+3 x-1$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f-g)(x)=x^{2}-3 x+1$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f g)(x)=3 x^{3}-x^{2}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{x^{2}}{3 x-1}$
  Domain: $\ \left(-\infty, \frac{1}{3}\right) \cup\left(\frac{1}{3}, \infty\right)$
For $\ f(x)=x^{2}-x$ and $\ g(x) = 7x$
- $\ (f+g)(x)=x^{2}+6 x$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f-g)(x)=x^{2}-8 x$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f g)(x)=7 x^{3}-7 x^{2}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{x-1}{7}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$
For $\ f(x)=x^{2}-4$ and $\ g(x) = 3x + 6$
- $\ (f+g)(x)=x^{2}+3 x+2$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f-g)(x)=x^{2}-3 x-10$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f g)(x)=3 x^{3}+6 x^{2}-12 x-24$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{x-2}{3}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty,-2) \cup(-2, \infty)$
For $\ f(x)=-x^{2}+x+6$ and $\ g(x)=x^{2}-9$
- ˆ$\ (f + g)(x) = x − 3$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f-g)(x)=-2 x^{2}+x+15$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ (f g)(x)=-x^{4}+x^{3}+15 x^{2}-9 x-54$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=-\frac{x+2}{x+3}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty,-3) \cup(-3,3) \cup(3, \infty)$
For $\ f(x)=\frac{x}{2}$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{2}{x}$
- $\ (f+g)(x)=\frac{x^{2}+4}{2 x}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$
- $\ (f-g)(x)=\frac{x^{2}-4}{2 x}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$
- ˆ$\ (fg)(x) = 1$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{x^{2}}{4}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 0) \cup(0, \infty)$
For $\ f(x) = x − 1$ and $\ g(x)=\frac{1}{x-1}$
- $\ (f+g)(x)=\frac{x^{2}-2 x+2}{x-1}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 1) \cup(1, \infty)$
- $\ (f-g)(x)=\frac{x^{2}-2 x}{x-1}$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 1) \cup(1, \infty)$
- $\ (fg)(x) = 1$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 1) \cup(1, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=x^{2}-2 x+1$
  Domain: $\ (-\infty, 1) \cup(1, \infty)$
For $\ f(x) = x$ and $\ g(x)=\sqrt{x+1}$
- $\ (f+g)(x)=x+\sqrt{x+1}$
  Domain: $\ [-1, \infty)$
- $\ (f-g)(x)=x-\sqrt{x+1}$
  Domain: $\ [-1, \infty)$
- $\ (f g)(x)=x \sqrt{x+1}$
  Domain: $\ [-1, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{x}{\sqrt{x+1}}$
  Domain: $\ (-1, \infty)$
For $\ f(x)=\sqrt{x-5}$ and $\ g(x)=f(x)=\sqrt{x-5}$
- $\ (f+g)(x)=2 \sqrt{x-5}$
  Domain: $\ [5, \infty)$
- (f − g)(x) = 0
  Domain: $\ [5, \infty)$
- $\ (fg)(x) = x − 5$
  Domain: $\ [5, \infty)$
- $\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=1$
  Domain: $\ (5, \infty)$
2
-3
0
$\ 6x + 3h − 1$
$\ −2x − h + 2$
$\ 8x + 4h$
$\ −2x − h + 1$
$\ 3 x^{2}+3 x h+h^{2}$
$\ m$
$\ 2ax + ah + b$
$\ \frac{-2}{x(x+h)}$
$\ \frac{3}{(1-x-h)(1-x)}$
$\ \frac{-(2 x+h)}{x^{2}(x+h)^{2}}$
$\ \frac{-2}{(x+5)(x+h+5)}$
$\ \frac{-4}{(4 x-3)(4 x+4 h-3)}$
$\ \frac{3}{(x+1)(x+h+1)}$
$\ \frac{-9}{(x-9)(x+h-9)}$
$\ \frac{2 x^{2}+2 x h+2 x+h}{(2 x+1)(2 x+2 h+1)}$
$\ \frac{1}{\sqrt{x+h-9}+\sqrt{x-9}}$
$\ \frac{2}{\sqrt{2 x+2 h+1}+\sqrt{2 x+1}}$
$\ \frac{-4}{\sqrt{-4 x-4 h+5}+\sqrt{-4 x+5}}$
$\ \frac{-1}{\sqrt{4-x-h}+\sqrt{4-x}}$
$\ \frac{a}{\sqrt{a x+a h+b}+\sqrt{a x+b}}$
$\ \frac{3 x^{2}+3 x h+h^{2}}{(x+h)^{3 / 2}+x^{3 / 2}}$
$\ \frac{1}{(x+h)^{2 / 3}+(x+h)^{1 / 3} x^{1 / 3}+x^{2 / 3}}$
- $\ C(0)=26$, so the fixed costs are $26.
- $\ \overline{C}(10)=4.6$, so when 10 shirts are produced, the cost per shirt is $4.60.
- $\ p(5) = 20$, so to sell 5 shirts, set the price at $20 per shirt.
- $\ R(x)=-2 x^{2}+30 x$, $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 15$
- $\ P(x)=-2 x^{2}+28 x-26$, $\ 0 ≤ x ≤ 15$
- $\ P(x) = 0$ when $\ x = 1$ and $\ x = 13$. These are the ‘break even’ points, so selling 1 shirt or 13 shirts will guarantee the revenue earned exactly recoups the cost of production.
- $\ C(0)=100$, so the fixed costs are $100.
- $\ \overline{C}(10)=20$, so when 10 bottles of tonic are produced, the cost per bottle is $20.
- $\ p(5) = 30$, so to sell 5 bottles of tonic, set the price at $30 per bottle.
- $\ R(x)=-x^{2}+35 x, 0 \leq x \leq 35$
- $\ P(x)=-x^{2}+25 x-100,0 \leq x \leq 35$
- $\ P(x)=0$, when $\ x = 5$ and $\ x = 20$. These are the ‘break even’ points, so selling 5 bottles of tonic or 20 bottles of tonic will guarantee the revenue earned exactly recoups the cost of production.
- $\ C(0)=240$, so the fixed costs are 240¢ or $2.40.
- $\ \overline{C}(10)=42$, so when 10 cups of lemonade are made, the cost per cup is 42¢.
- $\ p(5) = 75$, so to sell 5 cups of lemonade, set the price at 75¢ per cup.
- $\ R(x)=-3 x^{2}+90 x, 0 \leq x \leq 30$
- $\ P(x)=-3 x^{2}+72 x-240,0 \leq x \leq 30$
- $\ P(x) = 0$ when $\ x = 4$ and $\ x = 20$. These are the ‘break even’ points, so selling 4 cups of lemonade or 20 cups of lemonade will guarantee the revenue earned exactly recoups the cost of production.
- $\ C(0) = 36$, so the daily fixed costs are $36.
- $\ \overline{C}(10)=6.6$, so when 10 pies are made, the cost per pie is $6.60.
- $\ p(5) = 9.5$, so to sell 5 pies a day, set the price at $9.50 per pie.
- $\ R(x)=-0.5 x^{2}+12 x, 0 \leq x \leq 24$
- $\ P(x)=-0.5 x^{2}+9 x-36,0 \leq x \leq 24$
- $\ P(x) = 0$ when $\ x = 6$ and $\ x = 12$. These are the ‘break even’ points, so selling 6 pies or 12 pies a day will guarantee the revenue earned exactly recoups the cost of production.
- $\ C(0) = 1000$, so the monthly fixed costs are 1000 hundred dollars, or $100,000.
- $\ \overline{C}(10)=120$, so when 10 scooters are made, the cost per scooter is 120 hundred dollars, or $12,000.
- $\ p(5) = 130$, so to sell 5 scooters a month, set the price at 130 hundred dollars, or $13,000 per scooter.
- $\ R(x)=-2 x^{2}+140 x, 0 \leq x \leq 70$
- $\ P(x)=-2 x^{2}+120 x-1000,0 \leq x \leq 70$
- P(x) = 0 when x = 10 and x = 50. These are the ‘break even’ points, so selling 10 scooters or 50 scooters a month will guarantee the revenue earned exactly recoups the cost of production.
$\ (f + g)(−3) = 2$
$\ (f − g)(2) = 3$
$\ (fg)(−1) = 0$
$\ (g + f)(1) = 0$
$\ (g − f)(3) = 3$
$\ (gf)(−3) = −8$
$\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(-2)$ does not exist
$\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(-1)=0$
$\ \left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(2)=4$
$\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-1)$ does not exist
$\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(3)=-2$
$\ \left(\frac{g}{f}\right)(-3)=-\frac{1}{2}$

Reference

¹We’ll see what this means geometrically in Chapter 4.

² Rationalizing the numerator !? How’s that for a twist!

³ Not really, but “entrepreneur” is the buzzword of the day and we’re trying to be trendy.

⁴ Poorly designed resin Sasquatch statues, for example. Feel free to choose your own entrepreneurial fantasy.

⁵ See Example 5.2.4 in Section 5.2.

⁶ Pronounced ‘dopeys’ . . .

⁷ Imagine that! Giving something away for free and hardly anyone taking advantage of it . . .

⁸ We’ve seen this sort of thing before in Section 1.4.1.