Advanced Functions need help

Question

if f(x) =x² and g(x)= 1/2x+3, find g(f(-1)).

 

A) -1

B) 1/25

C) 1/5

D) 1

Answer 1

Start at the innermost place: f(-1) = 1.

Then g(x)1) = 3½ or 7/3. That's because g(x) = ½(1) + 3, because YOUR definition of g(x) is the equation of a LINE, because the order of operations is to take one half times x, and THEN add 3 to that result.

 

BUT OF COURSE, we can INFER that the denominator SHOULD HAVE BEEN (2x+3) which would have led to the answer C, one fifth.

 

Could anything better illustrate the necessity of proper use of grouping symbols when stating expressions????