How to Add and Subtract Functions? (+FREE Worksheet!)

Learn how to add and subtract Functions by finding and combining like terms. 

How to Add and Subtract Functions? (+FREE Worksheet!)

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Step by step guide to Adding and Subtracting Functions

  • Just like we can add and subtract numbers, we can add and subtract functions. For example, if we had functions \(f(x) \) and \(g(x)\), we could create two new functions: \((f + g)(x)\) and \((f – g)(x)\).
  • When functions contain polynomials, find the like terms and combine them to add or subtract functions.
  • When evaluating functions, substitute the value of the input and find the value of the function.

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Adding and Subtracting Functions – Example 1:

\(g(a)=a-1, f(a)=a+5\), Find: \((g+f)(-1)\)

Solution:

\((g+f)(a)=g(a)+f(a)\), then: \((g+f)(a)=a-1+a+5=2a+4\)
Substitute \(a \) with \(-1: (g+f)(-1)=2a+4=2(-1)+4=-2+4=2 \)

Adding and Subtracting Functions – Example 2:

\(f(x)=3x-3, g(x)=x-5\), Find: \((f-g)(3)\)

Solution:

\((f-g)(x)=f(x)-g(x)\), then: \((f-g)(x)=3x-3-(x-5)=3x-3-x+5
=2x+2\)
Substitute \(x\) with \(3: (f-g)(3)=2x+2=2(3)+2=6+2=8\)

Adding and Subtracting Functions – Example 3:

\(f(x)=2x+4, g(x)=x+3\), Find: \((f-g)(1)\)

Solution:

\((f-g)(x)=f(x)-g(x)\), then: \((f-g)(x)=2x+4-(x+3)
=2x+4-x-3=x+1 \)
Substitute \(x\) with \(1: (f-g)(1)=x+1=1+1=2\)

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Adding and Subtracting Functions – Example 4:

\(g(a)=2a-1, f(a)=-a-4\), Find: \((g+f)(-1)\)

Solution:

\((g+f)(a)=g(a)+f(a)\), then: \((g+f)(a)=2a-1-a-4=a-5\)
Substitute \(a \) with \(-1: (g+f)(-1)=a-5=-1-5=-6 \)

Exercises for Adding and Subtracting Functions

Perform the indicated operation.

  1. \(\color{blue}{h(t) = 2t + 1, \\ g(t) = 2t + 2, \\ Find \ (h – g)(t)} \\\ \)
  2. \(\color{blue}{g(a) = – 3a – 3, \\ f(a) = a^2 + 5, \\ Find \ (g – f)(a)} \\\ \)
  3. \(\color{blue}{g(x) = 2x – 5, \\ h(x) = 4x + 5, \\ Find \ (g – h)(3)} \\\ \)
  4. \(\color{blue}{h(x) = 3x + 3, \\ g(x) = – 4x + 1, \\ Find \ (h + g)(10)} \\\ \)
  5. \(\color{blue}{f(x) = 4x – 3, \\ g(x) = x^3 + 2x, \\ Find \ (f – g)(4)} \\\ \)
  6. \(\color{blue}{h(n) = 4n + 5, \\ g(n) = 3n + 4, \\ Find \ (h – g)(n)}\)

Download Adding and Subtracting Functions Worksheet

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is answer-3.png
  1. \(\color{blue}{-1}\)
  2. \(\color{blue}{–a^2 – 3a – 8}\)
  3. \(\color{blue}{-16}\)
  4. \(\color{blue}{-6}\)
  5. \(\color{blue}{-59}\)
  6. \(\color{blue}{n+1}\)

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Original price was: $29.99.Current price is: $19.99.
Original price was: $29.99.Current price is: $19.99.

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