INVERSE

FUNCTIONS
Remember we talked about functions---
taking a set X and mapping into a Set Y

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22
22
44
33
66
4 88
4
55 1010

Set X Set Y
An inverse function would reverse that
process and map from SetY back into Set X
If we map what we get out of the function back, we wont
always have a function going back!!!

1
2
2
4
3
6
4 8
5
 Recall that to determine by the graph if an equation is
a function, we have the vertical line test.

If a vertical line intersects the graph of an

equation more than one time, the equation
graphed is NOT a function.

This is NOT a
This is a function function This is a function
If the inverse is a function, each y value could only be paired
with one x. Lets look at a couple of graphs.

Look at a y value (for For any y value, a horizontal

example y = 3)and see if line will only intersection the
there is only one x value graph once so will only have
on the graph for it. one x value

Horizontal Line Test to see if the inverse is a function.

If a horizontal line intersects the graph of an
equation more than one time, the equation
graphed is NOT a one-to-one function and will
NOT have an inverse function.

This is NOT a
This is a one-to-one This is NOT a
one-to-one function one-to-one
function function
 Horizontal Line Test

Used to determine whether a functions

inverse will be a function by seeing if the
original function passes the horizontal line
test.
If the original function passes the horizontal
line test, then its inverse is a function.
If the original function does not pass the
horizontal line test, then its inverse is not a
function.
Steps for Finding the Inverse of a
One-to-One Function

y = f -1(x)

Solve for y

Trade x and
y places

Replace f(x)
with y
 Find the inverse of f x
4 Lets check this by doing
1
1 4 2 x ff
ff
2x 4 4 2x
2 f x
1

x y = f -1(x) or
x
4
f x
1 2 x 4
2x 2x 4 x
x2 y 4
x
Solve for y
x 2 x xy 4
Yes! xy 4 2 x
4
Trade x and x 4 2x
y places 2 y y
x
4 Ensure f(x) is one to one
Replace f(x) y first. Domain may need
with y 2 x
to be restricted.
 Find the inverse of a function :
Example 1: y = 6x - 12

Step 1: Switch x and y: x = 6y - 12

Step 2: Solve for y: x 6y 12
x 12 6y
x 12
y
6
1
x2 y
6
Example 2:
Given the function : y = 3x2 + 2 find the inverse:

Step 1: Switch x and y: x = 3y2 + 2

Step 2: Solve for y: x 3y 2 2
2
x 2 3y
x2
y2
3
x2
y
3
Ex: Find an inverse of y = -3x+6.
Steps: -switch x & y
-solve for y

y = -3x+6
x = -3y+6
x-6 = -3y
x6
y
3
1
y x2
3
 Finding the Inverse

Given f ( x) 2 x 7
then y 2 x 7
y 7
solve for x x x2
2 y
Try
y 7 x2
f y
1

2
 Review from chapter 2

Relation a mapping of input values (x-values) onto

output values (y-values).
Here are 3 ways to show the same relation.
x y
y= x2
-2 4
Equation
-1 1
Table of
values 0 0
Graph
1 1
 Inverse relation just think: switch the x & y-values.

x = y2 x y
y x 4 -2
1 -1
** the inverse
of an 0 0
equation:
switch the x & 1 1
y and solve for
y. ** the ** the inverse of a
inverse of a graph: the reflection of
table: switch the original graph in the
the x & y. line y = x.
Consider the graph of the function f ( x) 2 x 4

y 2x 4

x4
y
2

1 x4
The inverse function is f ( x)
2
Consider the graph of the function f ( x) 2 x 4

y 2x 4 x (0, 4)

(4, 0)
x
( 3, 2)x x4
y
x 2
( 2, 3)

1 x4
The inverse function is f ( x)
2
An inverse function is just a rearrangement with x and y
swapped.
So the graphs just swap x and y!
 What else do you notice about the graphs?
yx
y 2 x 4 x (0, 4)
(4, 0)
x
x4
( 3, 2)x y
x
2
( 4, 4x)
( 2, 3)

f 1 ( x ) is a reflection of f (in
x )the line y = x
The function and its inverse must meet on y = x
Graph f(x) and f -1(x)
on the same graph.
Graph f(x) and f -1(x)
on the same graph.
 x xreflections
Notice that the x and y values 3 These functions are
Lets consider
traded the
places for the function f
function and compute
of each other
some values
and its and graph them.
inverse. about the line y = x
This means inverse function
x f (x) (2,8)
f x x 3
-2
-1
-8
-1
f 1
x 3 x
(8,2)
0 0 x f -1(x)
1 1
2 8 -8 -2 f 1 x 3 x
-1 -1
Lets take the (-8,-2)
values we got out
0 0
of the function and 1 1
put them into the 8 2
(-2,-8)
inverse function
and plot them
Is this a function? Yes

What will undo a cube? A cube root

 x 2
Graph f(x) = 3x 2 and f 1

3
using the same set of axes.

Then compare the two graphs.

Determine the domain and range of the

function
and its inverse.
Verify that the functions f and g are inverses of each other.

f x x 2 , x 2; g x x 2
2

If we graph (x - 2)2 it is a parabola shifted right 2.

Is this a one-to-one function?

This would not be one-to-one

but they restricted the domain
and are only taking the
function where x is greater
than or equal to 2 so we will
have a one-to-one function.
 e.g. On the same axes, sketch the graph of
y ( x 2) , 2
x2
and its inverse.
Solution: yx
(4, 4)
x
(1, 3)
(0, 2)
( 3, 1)
( 2, 0)
Ex: f(x)=2x2-4 Determine whether f -1(x) is a
function, then find the inverse equation.
y = 2x2-4
x = 2y2-4
x+4 = 2y2
x4
y2
2
x4
y
2
1
f -1(x) is not a function.
OR, if you fix y x2
the tent in the 2
 Ex: g(x)=2x3
y=2x3
x=2y3
x
y3
2
x
3 y
2
x
y 3
2
3
4x
Inverse is a function! OR, if you fix the y
tent in the 2
basement
Exercise
1 y f ( x)
(a) Sketch the function where
f ( x) x 12
.
(b) Write down the range of f ( x. )
(c) Suggest a suitable domain for f (that
so x ) the inverse
function f 1can
( x ) be found.
f 1 ( x )
(d) Find and write down its domain and range.
1
y f
(e) On the same axes sketch ( x. )
Solution:

(a) y x2 1 (b) Range of f ( x:)

f ( x ) 1
(c) Restricted domain:
x0
( Well look at the other
x0
possibility
in a minute. )
(d) Inverse: Let yx 2
1
Rearrange: y 1 x2
y 1 x
Swap: x 1 y
f 1 ( x ) x 1
Domain: x 1 Range: y 0
Solution:

(a) y x2 1 (b) Range of f ( x:)

f ( x ) 1
(c) Suppose you chose
x0
for the domain

(d)As before Let y x2 1

Rearrange: y 1 x2
y 1 x since
We now need x0
Solution:

(a) y x2 1
(b) Range: y 1

(c) Suppose you chose

x0
for the domain
Choosingx0
(d)As before Let y x 1
2
is easier!
Rearrange: y 1 x2
We now need y 1 x since x0
Swap: x 1 y
f 1 ( x ) x 1
Domain: x 1 Range: y 0