JC1 H2 Mathematics Clinic: Function TMJC 2019

Function
Every element in the domain has a unique image (can
use vertical line test to check). A function is only well-
defined if both the rule & domain are given.
f

Df Rf

Df & Rf are sets, &  should be written in set notation.

(Only if Df is written together with the rule can it be
written as a range). To find Rf sketch the graph of f
(taking special note of asymptotes).

Inverse Function
• f-1 exists  f is one-one
- to show that f is one-one use horizontal line test
(every horizontal line y = k, k  , intersects the graph of f
at most once) Composite Function
- to show f is not one-one just find a specific line which intersects • For fg to exist, R g  Df
more than once. • Dfg  Dg
• To find f-1,
- let y = f(x) & express x in terms of y. Then f-1(y)=x. • To get Rfg,
- Df-1 =Rf & Rf-1 =Df
Df f Rf Dfg  Dg 
g
 R g 
f
 R fg
Look at the graph of f. Use the range of g
R f-1 f-1 D f-1 as the restricted domain to get the range of fg.
or obtain fg(x) & use Dfg to graph fg & obtain Rfg.
• Graph of f-1 is the reflection of graph of f in the line y=x.
• f-1f(x)= x, x  Df • f ( x)  f (f (f (... ...f (f ( x))
n

ff-1(x)= x, x  R f function f applied n times

In general, f-1f  ff-1