INVERSE

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

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22
2
2 4
33 4
66
4 88
4
55 10
10

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 won’t
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. Let’s 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 function’s

inverse will be a function by seeing if the
original function passes the horizontal line
test.
test
• If the original function passes the horizontal
line test, then its inverse is a function.
function
• If the original function does not pass the
horizontal line test, then its inverse is not a
function.
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
 4 Let’s check this by doing
Find the inverse of f  x  
2  x 1
1 4 ff
ff 
 2x  4  4  2x
2  f  x  
1

 x  or
x
4 y = f (x)
-1
2 x  4

2x  2x  4 f  x 
1

x
x
Solve for y x 2  y   4
x 2 x  xy  4
Yes!  xy  4  2 x
Trade x and 4
x 4  2x
y places 2 y y
x
Replace f(x) 4 Ensure f(x) is one to one
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
x2 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
x2
 y2
3
x2
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
x6
y
3
1
y  x2
3
 Finding the Inverse

Given f ( x)  2 x  7
then y  2 x  7
y 7
solve for x x x2
2 y
Try
y 7 x2
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
5 -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

x4
y
2

1 x4
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 x4
y
x 2
(  2,  3 )

1 x4
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?
yx
y  2 x  4 x ( 0, 4 )
( 4, 0 )
x
x4
( 3,  2)x y
x
2
(  4,  4 )
x (  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 (x)
-1

on the same graph.

Graph f(x) and f (x)
-1

on the same graph.

Notice that the x and y values
Let’s consider
traded places for the function f
function
the  x   xreflections
3 These functions are
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  x3
-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
Let’s 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 , x2
and its inverse.
Solution: yx
( 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
x4
 y2
2
x4
y
2
1
OR, if you fix y  x2
f (x) is not a function.
-1
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 (a) y thef (function
Sketch x) where
f ( x)  x  1 2
.
(b) Write down the range of f ( x. )
(c) Suggest a suitable domain for f (that
so x ) the inverse
1
function f can ( 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:
y  x2  1 (b) Range of f ( x:)
(a)
f ( x )  1
(c) Restricted domain:
x0
( We’ll look at the other
x0
possibility
in a minute. )
(d) Inverse: Let yx 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:
y  x2  1 (b) Range of f ( x:)
(a)
f ( x )  1
(c) Suppose you chose
x0
for the domain

(d)As before Let y  x2  1

Rearrange: y  1  x2
 y  1  x since
We now need x0
Solution:

(a) y  x2  1
(b) Range: y  1

(c) Suppose you chose

x0
for the domain
Choosing x  0
(d)As before Let y  x 1
2
is easier!
Rearrange: y  1  x2
We now need y  1  x since x0
Swap:  x 1  y
f 1 ( x )   x  1
Domain: x  1 Range: y  0