1. ## Function question

Hey, I'm struggling to get the answer for the following question:

The functions f and g are defined by the following forumlae: f(x) = x^2 and g(x) = x - 1, for all real numbers x. Find g o f and f o g and determine whether g o f equals f o g.

(NOTE: That little o symbol is a function composition, you can find it on the following link if you're not sure what it's supposed to be: Table of mathematical symbols - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

2. Originally Posted by Toolman
Hey, I'm struggling to get the answer for the following question:

The functions f and g are defined by the following forumlae: f(x) = x^2 and g(x) = x - 1, for all real numbers x. Find g o f and f o g and determine whether g o f equals f o g.

(NOTE: That little o symbol is a function composition, you can find it on the following link if you're not sure what it's supposed to be: Table of mathematical symbols - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

$(f \circ g)(x) = f(g(x)) = f(x - 1) = (x - 1)^2$
$(g \circ f)(x) = g(f(x)) = g(x^2) = x^2 - 1$