Math  /  Algebra

QuestionFor the functions f(x)=3x+4f(x)=\frac{3}{x+4} and g(x)=7x+1g(x)=\frac{7}{x+1}, find the composition fgf \circ g and simplify your answer as much as possible. Write the domain using interval notation. (fg)(x)=(f \circ g)(x)= \square
Domain of fgf \circ g : \square

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We're asked to find a new function that *first* applies g(x)g(x) and *then* applies f(x)f(x) to the result, and then to figure out which xx values are allowed. Watch out! Remember that the domain of the composition fgf \circ g not only depends on the domain of ff, but also on the range of gg that can be used as input for ff.

STEP 2

1. Compute the composition
2. Simplify the composition
3. Find the domain

STEP 3

Let's **start** by writing down the definition of function composition.
The composition fgf \circ g means we apply gg first, and *then* apply ff to the result.
So, (fg)(x)=f(g(x))(f \circ g)(x) = f(g(x)).

STEP 4

We know that g(x)=7x+1g(x) = \frac{7}{x+1}.
So, we **substitute** that into f(x)f(x).
This gives us f(g(x))=f(7x+1)f(g(x)) = f\left(\frac{7}{x+1}\right).

STEP 5

Now, we know f(x)=3x+4f(x) = \frac{3}{x+4}.
So, to find f(7x+1)f\left(\frac{7}{x+1}\right), we **replace** every xx in the formula for f(x)f(x) with 7x+1\frac{7}{x+1}.
This gives us: f(7x+1)=37x+1+4.f\left(\frac{7}{x+1}\right) = \frac{3}{\frac{7}{x+1} + 4}.

STEP 6

To simplify the expression, we want to get rid of the fraction in the denominator.
We can do this by **multiplying** the numerator and denominator by (x+1)(x+1).
Remember, multiplying by x+1x+1\frac{x+1}{x+1} is like multiplying by 11, so it doesn't change the value of the expression! 37x+1+4x+1x+1=3(x+1)7+4(x+1). \frac{3}{\frac{7}{x+1} + 4} \cdot \frac{x+1}{x+1} = \frac{3(x+1)}{7 + 4(x+1)}.

STEP 7

Now, we **distribute** the 44 in the denominator to get: 3(x+1)7+4x+4=3(x+1)4x+11. \frac{3(x+1)}{7 + 4x + 4} = \frac{3(x+1)}{4x + 11}.

STEP 8

The domain of fgf \circ g is the set of all xx values for which (fg)(x)(f \circ g)(x) is defined.

STEP 9

First, we look at the **original** function g(x)g(x). g(x)g(x) is undefined when x+1=0x+1=0, which means x=1x = -1.
So, xx cannot be 1-1.

STEP 10

Next, we look at f(g(x))f(g(x)).
We found that (fg)(x)=3(x+1)4x+11(f \circ g)(x) = \frac{3(x+1)}{4x+11}.
This expression is undefined when the denominator is zero.
So, we set 4x+11=04x+11=0 and solve for xx.
This gives us 4x=114x = -11, so x=114x = -\frac{11}{4}.

STEP 11

Therefore, the domain of fgf \circ g is all real numbers *except* 1-1 and 114-\frac{11}{4}.
In interval notation, this is (,11/4)(11/4,1)(1,)(-\infty, -11/4) \cup (-11/4, -1) \cup (-1, \infty).
We use round brackets because the endpoints are *not* included.

STEP 12

(fg)(x)=3(x+1)4x+11(f \circ g)(x) = \frac{3(x+1)}{4x+11}.
Domain of fgf \circ g: (,11/4)(11/4,1)(1,)(-\infty, -11/4) \cup (-11/4, -1) \cup (-1, \infty).

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