SHS

General
Mathematics
Quarter 1– Module 16 :
Solving Problems Involving Inverse
Functions

i
General Mathematics – SHS
Quarter 1 – Week 5, Module 16: Solving Problems Involving Inverse Functions

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Sonia Velitario – Moral
Editor: Desiree R. Euste
Reviewers: Sarah Christine P. Godoy
Simeon D. Brillantes
Illustrator: Joseph Alvin A. Moral
Layout Artist: Jhomar B. Jaravata
Cover Art: Jed Adra
 Solving Problems Involving Inverse Functions

Introduction

This module will guide the students in solving problems involving inverse
functions. This also contains examples on problems involving inverse functions.

Objectives

At the end of this module, the learner must be able to solve problems
involving inverse functions. (M11GM-Ie-2)

Vocabulary List
The following terms will be used in this module. They are defined as follows:

• Inverse functions
Let f be a one-to-one function with domain A and range B. Then the
inverse of f, denoted by f-1, is a function with domain B and range A defined
by f-1(y) = if and only if f(x) = y for any y in B. (DepEd’s General
Mathematics Learner’s Material, page 62)

• One-to-one functions
The function f is one-to-one if for any x1, x2 in the domain of f, the
f(x1) = f(x2), that is, the same y-value is never paired with two different x-
values. (DepEd’s General Mathematics Learner’s Material, page 62)

1
 PRE-TEST

Direction: Write the letter that corresponds to your answer on your answer
sheet. If the question has no answer from the given choices, write E.

For item 1-2: Use the problem below:

Ednard Jason is driving his car at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour. How
long will it take to cover a distance of 275 kilometer?

1. Which of the following function represent the problem?

a. f(x) = 50 + x c. f(x) = 50x

𝒙
b. f(x) = x - 50 d. f (x) =
𝟓𝟎

2. Which of these functions is the inverse of the function in item number 1?

a. f(x) = 50 + x c. f(x) = 50x

𝒙
b. f(x) = x - 50 d. f (x) = 𝟓𝟎

3. How long will it take to cover a distance of 275 kilometer?

a. 4 hours c. 5 hours

b. 4 ½ hours d. 5 ½ hours

4. Alvin and Sonia spent PhP 100 000.00 for their wedding banquet in a certain hotel.
Each attendee cost them PhP 250.00. At most how many attendees had attended their
wedding banquet?

a. 500 c. 350

b. 400 d. 250

5. Wanay can read at a rate of 3 pages per minute. How long will it take her to read a
177-page book?

a. 95 minutes c. 59 minutes

b. 65 minutes d. 56 minutes

2
 LEARNING ACTIVITIES

This module will help you be familiarized with problems on inverse function. In
addition, this will guide you in solving problems involving inverse function.

To solve problems involving inverse function you must be guided with these steps:
Steps on Solving Problems Involving Inverse Functions
1. What is asked? (Determine what the problem requires you to do.)
2. What is/are given? (Identify the given data in the problem.)
3. Write a number sentence or a function. (Represent the problem using a function
notation.)
4. What is the inverse of the function? (Determine the inverse of the function.)
5. What is the solution to the problem? (Determine the solution to the given problem
by evaluating the inverse of the function.)
6. Does your answer satisfy the original function? )Check your answer with the
original function.)
7.

Try to learn on how to solve problems involving inverse function from the succeeding
examples.

Sample Problems:

Example 1:
𝟏
It has been observed that the hair grows 𝟐
cm per week. At present, your
teacher’s hair is 15 cm long. How long will it take for her to have a 40-cm hair length?

Follow the steps mentioned above to solve the problem.

Step 1: What is asked? (Determine what the problem requires you to do.)

How long will it take for her to have a 40-cm hair length?

Step 2: What is/are given? (Identify the given data in the problem.)

𝟏
𝟐
cm per week - growth rate of the hair
15 cm – current length of the hair
40 cm - length of the hair y after x weeks

Step 3: Write a number sentence or a function. (Represent the problem using a function
notation.)
Let x = number of weeks; and
f(x) = y represents the total length of the hair after x weeks
Thus, the function would be
𝟏 𝟏
f(x) = 𝟐x + 15 or y = 𝟐 x + 15

3
 Step 4: What is the inverse of the function? (Find the inverse of the function.)
To find the inverse of f(x) = ½ x + 15
𝟏
a. Let f(x) =y, hence the function can be written as y = 𝟐 x +15
b. Interchange the x and y variables

𝟏
From y = x +15
𝟐

𝟏
to x = 𝟐 y +15

c. Solve for y in terms of x

𝟏
x= y +15
𝟐
𝟏
𝟐
y + 15 = x by symmetric property of equality,
(that is, if a=b, then b=a).
𝟏
y = x-15 by addition property of equality
𝟐
𝟏
𝒚 𝒙−𝟏𝟓
𝟐
𝟏 = 𝟏 by division property of equality
𝟐 𝟐

y = 2x – 30
-1
f (x) = 2x -30

Step 5: What is the solution to the problem? (Determine the solution to the given
problem using the inverse function.)

Substitute 40, which originally was the value for y but now becomes the
value of x. (by definition of inverse function)
f -1(x) = 2x - 30
y = 2x -30
y = 2(40) -30
y = 80 - 30
y = 50 weeks

Step 6: Does your answer satisfy the original function? (Check your answer to the
original function.)
𝟏
f(x) = 𝟐x +15
𝟏
40 = 𝟐 (50) + 15 by definition of inverse function (y becomes x)
40 = 40

Therefore, it will take 50 weeks to have a 40-cm long hair.

4
Example 2:
Moral twins are making cups of homemade punch at the rate of 20 cups per hour.
How long did it take them to make 300 cups of homemade punch?

Follow the steps mentioned above to solve the problem.

Step 1: What is asked? (Determine what the problem requires you to do.)
How long did it take them to make 300 cups of homemade punch?

Step 2: What is/are given? (Identify the given data in the problem.)
20 cups per hour - rate
300 cups - number of cups of lemonade y after x hours

Step 3: Write a number sentence or a function. (Represent the problem using a function
notation.)
Let x = number of hours and
f(x) = y represents the total number of cups of lemonade that Moral
Twins made after x hours
Thus, the function would be
f(x) = 20x

Step 4: What is the inverse of the function? (Find the inverse of the function.)

To find the inverse of f(x) = 20x

a. Let f(x) =y, hence the function can be written as y = 20x
b. Interchange the x and y variables,
x = 20y
c. Solve for y
x= 20y
20y = x by symmetric property of equality,
(that is, if a=b, then b=a).
20y = x
𝟐𝟎𝒚 𝒙
𝟐𝟎
= 𝟐𝟎
by division property of equality
𝒙
y= 𝟐𝟎
𝒙
f -1(x) = 𝟐𝟎

Step 5: What is the solution to the problem? (Determine the solution to the given
problem using the inverse function.)
Substitute 300 which originally was the value for y, and now it becomes
the value of x. (by definition of inverse function)
𝒙
f -1(x) = 𝟐𝟎
𝟑𝟎𝟎
y= 𝟐𝟎
y = 15 hours

5
 Step 6: Does your answer satisfy the original function? (Check your answer with the
original
function.)
f(x) = 20x
300 = 20 (15) by definition of inverse function (y becomes x)
300 = 300

Therefore, it will take 15 hours for the twins to make 300 cups of
homemade punch.

Example 3:
Janine’s birthday party costs PhP150.00 for every attendee. At most how many
attendees can there be if Janine’s budgets has a total of PhP 12 000.00 for her birthday
party?

Follow the steps mentioned above to solve the problem.

Step 1: What is asked? (Determine what the problem requires you to do.)

At most how many attendees can there be if Janine’s budget has a total
of PhP 12 000.00 for her birthday party?

Step 2: What is/are given? (Identify the given data in the problem.)

PhP150.00 per attendee - rate

PhP12 000.00 - budget (y) for x attendees

Step 3: Write a number sentence or a function. (Represent the problem using a function
notation.)

Let x = number of attendees for Janine’s party and

f(x) = y represents Janine’s budget for x attendees
Thus, the function would be
f(x) = 150x

Step 4: What is the inverse of the function? (Find the inverse of the function.)

To find the inverse of f(x) = 150x

a. Let f(x) = y, hence the function can be written as y = 150x
b. Interchanging the x and y variables, we get

x = 150y
c. Solve for y
x= 150y
150y = x by symmetric property of equality,
(that is, if a=b, then b=a).

6
 𝟏𝟓𝟎𝒚 𝒙
= by division property of equality
𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝟏𝟓𝟎
𝒙
y = 𝟏𝟓𝟎
𝒙
f -1(x) = 𝟏𝟓𝟎

Step 5: What is the solution to the problem? (Determine the solution to the given
problem using the inverse function.)

Substitute PhP 12 000.00 which originally the value for y, and now it
becomes the value of x, (by definition of inverse function).

𝒙
f -1(x) = 𝟏𝟓𝟎
𝟏𝟐 𝟎𝟎𝟎
y= 𝟏𝟓𝟎

y = 80 attendees

Step 6: Does your answer satisfy the original function? (Check your answer with the
original function.)
f(x) = 150x
12 000 = 150 (80) by definition of inverse function (y becomes x)
12 000 = 12 000

Therefore, there will be at most 80 attendees in Janine’s birthday party.

Example 4:
A car rental charge is PhP15 000.00 per day plus Php. 8.00 per kilometer
travelled. If the car rental company received Php 19 000.00, how far did they travel?

Follow the steps mentioned above to solve the problem.

Step 1: What is asked? (Determine what the problem requires you to do.)

How far did they travel?

Step 2: What is/are given? (Identify the given data in the problem.)

PhP 8.00 per kilometer - rate

PhP 15 000.00 - basic car rental
PhP19 000.00 - total amount of rental y received by the car rental
company for x distance covered

7
 Step 3: Write a number sentence or a function. (Represent the problem using a function
notation.)

Let x = distance travelled; and

f(x) = y represents total amount of rental y received by the car rental
company for x distance covered
Thus, the function would be
f(x) = 15 000 + 8x or f(x) = 8x + 15 000

Step 4: What is the inverse of the function? (Find the inverse of the function.)

To find the inverse of f(x) = 8x + 15 000

a. Let f(x) = y, hence the function can be written as y = 8x + 15 000
b. Interchanging the x and y variables, we have

x = 8y + 15 000
c. Solve for y
x= 8y + 15 000
8y + 1500 = x by symmetric property of equality,
(that is, if a=b, then b=a).

8y = x – 15 000
𝟖𝒚 𝒙 −𝟏𝟓 𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝟖
= 𝟖
by division property of equality

𝒙 −𝟏𝟓 𝟎𝟎𝟎
y = 𝟖

𝒙 −𝟏𝟓 𝟎𝟎𝟎
f -1(x) =
𝟖

Step 5: What is the solution to the problem? (Determine the solution to the given
problem using the inverse function.)

Substitute PhP19 000.00 which originally was the value for y, and now it
becomes the value of x. (by definition of inverse function)

𝒙 −𝟏𝟓𝟎𝟎
f -1(x) = 𝟖
𝟏𝟗 𝟎𝟎𝟎 −𝟏𝟓 𝟎𝟎𝟎
y =
𝟖
y = 500 km

Step 6: Does your answer satisfy the original function? (Check your answer with the
original function.)

f(x) = 8x + 15 000
19 000 = 8(500) + 15 000 by definition of inverse function (y becomes x)
19 000 = 19 000

Therefore, they travelled a distance of 500 kilometers.

8
Example 5:
When digging into the earth, the temperature rises according to equation
f(x) = 20 + 0.01 x, where f(x) is the increase in temperature in degrees and x is the
depth in meters. At what depth would there be a temperature of 50 ºC?

Follow the steps mentioned above to solve the problem.

Step 1: What is asked? (Determine what the problem requires you to do.)

At what depth would there be a temperature of 50 ºC?

Step 2: What is/are given? (Identify the given data in the problem.)

50ºC - temperature of the earth at x meters depth

Step 3: Write a number sentence or a function. (Represent the problem using a function
notation.)

Let x = depth ; and

f(x) = y represents the increase in temperature at x depth
The function is already given, that is
f(x) = 20 + 0.01x or f(x) = 0.01x + 20

Step 4: What is the inverse of the function? (Find the inverse of the function.)

To find the inverse of f(x) = 0.01x + 20

a. Let f(x) = y, hence the function can be written as y = 0.01x +20
b. Interchanging the x and y variables, we get

x = 0.01y +20
c. Solve for y
x = 0.01y +20
0.01y + 20 = x by symmetric property of equality,
(that is, if a=b, then b=a).
0.01y = x – 20

𝟎.𝟎𝟏𝒚 𝒙 −𝟐𝟎
𝟎.𝟎𝟏
= 𝟎.𝟎𝟏
by division property of equality

𝒙 −𝟐𝟎
y = 𝟎.𝟎𝟏

𝒙 −𝟐𝟎
f -1(x) = 𝟎.𝟎𝟏

9
 Step 5: What is the solution to the problem? (Determine the solution to the given
problem using the inverse function.)

Substitute 50ºC which is the value of f(x) or y, and now it becomes the
value of x, (by definition of inverse function).

𝒙 −𝟐𝟎
f -1(x) = 𝟎.𝟎𝟏

𝟓𝟎 −𝟐𝟎
y = 𝟎.𝟎𝟏

y = 3000 meters

Step 6: Does your answer satisfy the original function? (Check your answer with the
original function.)
f(x) = 20 + 0.01x
50 = 20 + 0.01(3000) by definition of inverse function (y becomes x)
50 = 50

Therefore, to have a 50ºC temperature one should reach a depth of

3000 meters below the earth surface.

Example 6:
A car travel at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour. How long will it take to cover
a distance of 210 kilometer?

Follow the steps mentioned above to solve the problem.

Step 1: What is asked? (Determine what the problem requires you to do.)

How long will it take to cover a distance of 210 kilometer?

Step 2: What is/are given? (Identify the given data in the problem.)
𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝒎
𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓
- car’s speed (r)
210 km - distance covered at t hours

Step 3: Write a number sentence or a function. (Represent the problem using a function
notation.)
Hint: Use the distance formula d = rt as your guide if formulating the function.
Let x = time ; and
f(x) = represents the distance covered for t hours
Thus, the function would be
d = rt
𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝒎
f(x) = 𝒉𝒓
x
f(x) = 60x

10
 Step 4: What is the inverse of the function? (Find the inverse of the function.)

To find the inverse of f(x) = 60x

a. Let f(x) =y, hence the function can be written as y = 60x
b. Interchange x and y variables
x = 60y
c. Solve for y
x = 60y
60y = x by symmetric property of equality,
(that is, if a=b, then b=a).

𝟔𝟎𝒚 𝒙
𝟔𝟎
= 𝟔𝟎
by division property of equality

𝒙
y= 𝟔𝟎

𝒙
f -1(x) =
𝟔𝟎

Step 5: What is the solution to the problem? (Determine the solution to the given
problem using the inverse function.)
Substitute 210 km which is the value of f(x) or y, and now it becomes the
value of x. (by definition of inverse function)
𝒙
f -1(x) = 𝟔𝟎

𝟐𝟏𝟎
y=
𝟔𝟎

𝟏
y = 3 𝟐 hours

Step 6: Does your answer satisfy the original function? (Check your answer with the
original function.)
f(x) = 60x
𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝒎
210 km = 𝒉𝒓
x by definition of inverse function (y becomes x)
𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝒎 𝟏
210 km = (3 hrs)
𝒉𝒓 𝟐
210 km = 210 km
𝟏
Therefore, it will take 3 𝟐 hours or 3 hours and 30 minutes to cover
210-kilometer distance.

Ready? Let’s check your understanding!

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 PRACTICE TASK 1

Try Me!

Direction: Solve the following problems using inverse functions.

For items 1-2: Use the problem below:

A jeepney rental company’s charge is defined by the equation y = 2500 + 15x, where
y is the amount of rental and x is distance traveled in kilometers.

1. What is the inverse of the function?

2. What is the distance covered by the jeepney if the company received a payment of
PhP 3 250.00?

For items 3-5: Use the problem below:

Since public transportation is suspended due to Covid19 Pandemic and

Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ) being implemented in the area, JV will
be renting a car in order to go to his grandmother’s house which is 270
kilometers away from his house. The car’s speed is 45 kilometers per hour.

3. What function represents the problem?

4. What is the inverse of the function?

5. How long will it take JV to reach his destination?

12
 PRACTICE TASK 2

Do It Again!

Direction: Solve the following problems using inverse functions.

For item 1-2: Use the problem below:

The current US dollar rate is PhP 49.15 per dollar in a dollar exchange
house. A seaman’s wife received a total amount of PhP 122 875.00 in exchange
of her husband’s remittance in US dollar currency.

1. What function could represent the seaman’s wife total amount of money in
Philippine currency? Give its inverse.

2. How much is the seaman’s remittance in US currency?

For item 3-5: Use the problem below:

An architect estimated the total cost for a house construction in a Philippine

provincial setting as PhP 17 500.00 per square meter based on the floor area of the
house.

3. If y represents the total costs for x area, what function represents the situation?

4. What is its inverse?

5. If your family has a budget of 1.4-million peso for a house construction, what
could be the maximum floor area of your house?

13
 PRACTICE TASK 3

One More Try!

Direction: Solve the following problems using inverse functions:

1. A bus ride costs PhP 10.00 for the first 5 kilometers, and its additional integer
kilometer adds PhP 1.75 to the fare. How far can you reach if you have
PhP 185.00 budget for the fare?

2. Jeenay, a sales agent, earns PhP17 000.00 monthly plus 18% of his total sales
for the month. If she earns a total of PhP 26 000.00 for the month, how much is
her total sales?

3. In a carwash center, an employee received PhP 200.00 plus PhP 75.00 per car
he washed per day. If his total earnings for the day is PhP 650.00, how many
cars did he wash?

Good job !
You are now ready for the next test…

14
 POST-TEST

Check My Understanding!

Direction: Write the letter that corresponds to your answer on your answer sheet. If
the question has no answer from the given choices, write E.

1. When digging into the earth, the temperature rises according to equation y = 20 + 0.01x,
where y is the increase in temperature in degrees and x is the depth in meters. At what
depth would there be a temperature of 80 ºC?
a. 3 000 m b. 4 000 m c. 5 000 m d. 6 000 m

2. The pollution level in the center of a city at 6 am is 30 parts per million and it grows in
linear function by 25 parts per million every hour. If y is pollution and x is time elapsed
after 6 am, determine the time the pollution level is at 80 parts per millions?
a. 7:00 a.m. b. 8:00 a.m. c. 9:00 a.m. d. 10:00 a.m.

3. Jonah is planning to have her 18th birthday party at a resort. It will cost her a base fee of
PhP 10 000.00 plus PhP180.00 per guest. If her parents gave her PhP 19 000.00 as her
budget for the party, what is the maximum number of guests she can accommodate?

a. 105 b. 75 c. 60 d. 50

4. EJ, a motorcycle rider, drives at a speed of 75 kilometers per hour. How long will it take
him to reach his destination which is 225 kilometers away from his starting point?

a. 5 hours c. 4 hours c. 3 hours d. 2 hours

5. Jon Bernie pawn an 18-karat gold necklace. Each gram of gold is worth PhP 1 500.00. If
he had accumulated a total amount of PhP 11 400.00 for pawning, how many grams is
the necklace?

a. 15 g b. 11.4 g c. 7.6 g d. 3.8 g

Congratulations!
You made it so well!

15
 ASSIGNMENT

Let’s Make It Real…

During the time of ECQ, families, who are non-recipient of Social Amelioration
Program (SAP) of the government, were given relief goods. Each family in a
certain municipality of Camarines Sur were allotted a PhP 1 500.00 worth of
goods. If the LGU had allotted 4.5 million for the program, how many families
were benefited from the program? Show your step by step solution.

Enjoy doing your task…

Goodluck!

References:
1. Department of Education. (2016). General Mathematics Learner’s Material First
Edition. Lexicon Press Inc.
2. Oronce, O A. and Mendoza, O. , Exploring Mathematics: Advanced Algebra and
Trigonometry IV
3. https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r05/camarines-sur/lupi.html
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivX0lI6oGCw
5. https://brilliant.org/wiki/exponential-functions/

16
 ANSWER KEY

Pre-test: 1. c 2. d 3. d 4. b 5. c

Practice Task 1:
𝑥−2 500
1. y-1 = 15
2. 50 km
3. f(x) = 45x
𝑥
4. f-1(x) =
45
5. 6 hours
Practice Task 2:
1. f(x) = 49.15x
𝑥
f-1(x) =
49.15

2. $ 2 500.00
3. y = 17 500x
𝑥
4. y-1 = 17500
5. Maximum floor area is 80 m2
Practice Task 3:
1. 105 km
2. PhP 50 000.00
3. 6 cars
Post Test:
1. d 2. b 3. d 4. c 5. C
Assignment:

Step 1: What is asked? (Determine what the problem requires you to do.)

How many families were benefited from the program?

Step 2: What is/are given? (Identify the given data in the problem.)

PhP 1 500.00 is worth of goods for each family.

PhP 4.5 million or PhP 4,500,000 is the budget allocation for the program

17
Step 3: Write a number sentence or a function. (Represent the problem using a function
notation.)

Let x = number of families (beneficiaries) ; and

f(x) = y total cost/budget for Social Amelioration Program

The function is already given, that is

f(x) = 1500x

Step 4: What is the inverse of the function? (Find the inverse of the function.)

To find the inverse of f(x) = 1500x

Let f(x) = y, hence the function can be written as y = 1500x
Exchange y to x and x to y
x = 1500y
Solve for y
𝑥
y =1500

Step 5: What is the solution to the problem? (Determine the solution to the given problem
using the inverse function.)

Substitute 4500000 which is the value of f(x) or y, and now it becomes the value of
x, (by definition of inverse function).
𝑥
y=
1500

4500000
y=
1500

y = 3000

Step 6: Does your answer satisfy the original function? (Check your answer to the
original function.)
f(x) = 1500x
4 500 000 = 1500(3000) by definition of inverse function (y becomes x)
4 500 000 = 4 500 000

Therefore, 3000 families had benefited by the Php. 4.5-million worth program.

18