Jump to a New ChapterIntroduction to the SAT IIContent and Format of the SAT II Math IICStrategies for SAT II Math IICMath IIC FundamentalsAlgebraPlane GeometrySolid GeometryCoordinate GeometryTrigonometryFunctionsStatisticsMiscellaneous MathPractice Tests Are Your Best Friends
 10.1 Characteristics of a Function 10.2 Evaluating Functions 10.3 Compound Functions 10.4 Inverse Functions 10.5 Domain and Range

 10.6 Graphing Functions 10.7 Identifying the Graphs of Polynomial Functions 10.8 Review Questions 10.9 Explanations
Evaluating Functions
Evaluating a function simply means finding f(x) at some specific value x. The Math IIC will likely ask you to evaluate a function at some particular constant. Take a look at the following example:
 If f(x) = x2 – 3, what is f(5)?
Evaluating a function at a constant involves nothing more than substituting the constant into the definition of the function. In this case, substitute 5 for x:
It’s as simple as that.
The Math IIC may also ask questions in which you are asked to evaluate a function at a variable rather than a constant. For example:
 If f(x) = , what is f(x + 1)?
To solve problems of this sort, follow the same method you did for evaluating a function at a constant: substitute the variable into the equation. To solve the sample question, substitute (x + 1) for x in the definition of the function:
Operations on Functions
Functions can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided just like any other quantities. There are a few rules that help make these operations easier. For any two functions f(x) and g(x):
 Rule Example Addition If f(x) = sin x, and g(x) = cos x:(f + g)(x) = sin x + cos x Subtraction If f(x) = x2 + 5 and g(x) = x2 + 2x + 1:(f – g)(x) = x2 + 5 – x2 – 2x – 1 = –2x + 4 Multiplication If f(x) = x and g(x) = x3 + 8:(f g)(x) = x (x3 + 8) = x4 + 8x Division If f(x) = 2 cos x, and g(x) = 2 sin2 x:
As usual, when dividing, you have to be aware of possible situations where you inadvertently divide by zero. Since division by zero is not allowed, you should just remember that any time you are dividing functions, like f(x) /g(x), the resulting function is undefined wherever the function in the denominator equals zero.
 Jump to a New ChapterIntroduction to the SAT IIContent and Format of the SAT II Math IICStrategies for SAT II Math IICMath IIC FundamentalsAlgebraPlane GeometrySolid GeometryCoordinate GeometryTrigonometryFunctionsStatisticsMiscellaneous MathPractice Tests Are Your Best Friends
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