Worked example 7: Inverses - domain, range and restrictions

QUESTION
Determine the inverse of q(x) = 7x
2
and sketch both graphs on the same system of
axes. Restrict the domain of q so that the inverse is a function.
SOLUTION
Step 1: Examine the function and determine the inverse
Determine the inverse of the function:
Let y = 7x
2
Interchange x and y : x = 7y
2
x
7
= y
2
y =

x
7
(x 0)
Step 2: Sketch both graphs on the same system of axes
1
2
3
4
1
2
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2
q(x) = 7x
2
y =

x
7
y =

x
7
y
x
0
Step 3: Determine the restriction on the domain
Option 1: Restrict the domain of q to x 0 so that the inverse will also be a function

q
1

. The restriction x 0 on the domain of q will restrict the range of q

1
such that
y 0.
q : domain x 0 range y 0
q
1
: domain x 0 range y 0
1
2
3
4
1
2
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2
q(x) = 7x
2
q
1
(x) =

x
7
y
x
0
OR
64 2.5. Quadratic functions