Home / IBDP Maths SL 2.5 Composite functions fog AA HL Paper 1- Exam Style Questions

IBDP Maths SL 2.5 Composite functions fog AA HL Paper 1- Exam Style Questions- New Syllabus

Question

A function \( f \) is defined by \( f(x) = 5(x + 1)(x + 3) \), where \( x \in \mathbb{R} \).
(a) Rewrite \( f(x) \) in the form \( a(x – h)^2 + k \), where \( a, h, k \in \mathbb{Z} \).
(b) Draw a sketch of the graph of \( y = f(x) \), clearly showing the coordinates of the vertex and all intercepts with the coordinate axes.
(c) Solve the inequality \( f(x) \leq 40 \).
Another function \( g \) is defined by \( g(x) = \ln x \), for \( x > 0 \).
(d)
(i) Write an expression for the composite function \( (f \circ g)(x) \).
(ii) Hence, solve the inequality \( (f \circ g)(x) \leq 40 \).
(e) Find the domain of the composite function \( g \circ f \).

Most-appropriate topic codes (IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches 2021):

SL 2.6: Quadratic functions; vertex form and graphical features — parts (a), (b)
SL 2.7: Solving quadratic equations and inequalities — part (c)
SL 2.5: Composite functions — parts (d)(i), (e)
SL 2.9: Logarithmic functions and their properties — parts (d)(i), (d)(ii)
SL 2.7: Solving equations and inequalities — part (d)(ii)
▶️ Answer/Explanation

(a) Write in vertex form:

\( f(x) = 5(x + 1)(x + 3) \)
Expanding gives \( f(x) = 5(x^2 + 4x + 3) = 5x^2 + 20x + 15 \).
Completing the square: \( f(x) = 5[x^2 + 4x + 4 – 4 + 3] = 5[(x + 2)^2 – 1] \).
Result: \( f(x) = 5(x + 2)^2 – 5 \), where \( a = 5, h = -2, k = -5 \).

(b) Sketch:

Graph of a quadratic parabola opening upwards with vertex at (-2, -5), x-intercepts at -3 and -1, and y-intercept at 15

Vertex: \( (-2, -5) \).
x-intercepts: Solve \( 5(x + 1)(x + 3) = 0 \Rightarrow x = -1, -3 \).
y-intercept: \( f(0) = 15 \).

(c) Solve \( f(x) \leq 40 \):

\( 5(x^2 + 4x + 3) \leq 40 \Rightarrow x^2 + 4x + 3 \leq 8 \).
\( x^2 + 4x – 5 \leq 0 \Rightarrow (x + 5)(x – 1) \leq 0 \).
Solution: \( -5 \leq x \leq 1 \).

(d)(i) Composite function:

\( (f \circ g)(x) = f(\ln x) = 5(\ln x + 1)(\ln x + 3) \).

(d)(ii) Solve \( (f \circ g)(x) \leq 40 \):

Using part (c), replace \( x \) with \( \ln x \): \( -5 \leq \ln x \leq 1 \).
Exponentiate: \( e^{-5} \leq x \leq e \).
Solution: \( e^{-5} \leq x \leq e \).

(e) Domain of \( g \circ f \):

\( (g \circ f)(x) = \ln(f(x)) \). We require \( f(x) > 0 \).
\( 5(x + 1)(x + 3) > 0 \).
Since the parabola opens upwards, it is positive outside the roots.
Domain: \( x < -3 \) or \( x > -1 \).

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