ONE-TO-ONE AND INVERSE FUNCTIONS

Recall:

A relation is a set of ordered pairs. The domain of a relation is the set of first coordinates. The
range is the set of second coordinates.

Definition.

A one-to-one function is a function in which for each value of y in the range of f, there is just
one value x in the domain of f such that y=f(x). in other words, f is one-to-one if implies

Example:

A B A B

1 a 1 a

2 b 2 b

3 c 3 c

One-to-one function 4

Not one-to-one function

Inverse of One-to-One Functions Properties of an Inverse Function if the 𝑓 −

inverse function exists,
Definition: If f is one-to-one function, then 1. 𝑓 − is a one-to-one function, f is also
the inverse of f denoted by 𝑓 − is the one-to-one
function formed by reversing all ordered 2. Domain of 𝑓 − =Range of f
pairs in f. Thus, 𝑓 − 𝑦 𝑥 : 𝑥 𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑓} 3. Range of 𝑓 − = Domain of f

Example1. Find the inverse of the function described by the set of ordered pairs {(0, -2), (1, 0), (2, 2),
(3, 4), (4, 6)}

Solution: }

Domain:
Range :
 −
{(-2, 0), (0, 1), (2, 2), (4, 3), (6, 4)}

Domain :
Range :

Let us apply the properties of inverse function if exist

 both −
are one-to-one, since every elements in the domain are
paired/mapping one element in the range.

 domain of −
=Range of f (i.e., = )

 range of −
= Domain of f (i.e., = )

Since the properties of inverse functions are satisfied, then the inverse functions exist.

Example 2. Find the inverse function described by the set of ordered pairs
}.

Solution.
}

Domain : {-6, -3, 3, 6}

Range : {-1, 2, 3 }
− }
Domain : {-1, 2, 3}
Range : {-6, -3, 3, 6 }

is one-to-one since every element in the domain paired/mapping one element in the
range, while − is not one-to-one since the -1 paired/mapping two elements in the range such
as -3 and 6.

Thus, the properties of inverse function not satisfied, then the inverse function of the
given set of ordered pairs does not exist.
 Finding inverse function from its equation

1. Replace f(x) with y

2. Interchange x and y
3. Solve for the new y from the equation in step 2
4. Replace the new y with 𝑓 − if the inverse is a function

Example 1. Find the inverse of the function

Solution:

Step 1. Replace f(x) with y

Step 2. Interchange x and y

𝑦 𝑥

𝑥 𝑦

Step 3. Solve for the new y from the equation in step 2

𝑥 𝑦

𝑥 𝑦 or

𝑦 𝑥

𝑦 𝑥

𝑦 𝑥

𝑥
𝑦
 −
Step 4. Replace the new y with if the inverse is a function

𝑥
𝑦

𝑥
𝑓−

Example 2. Find the inverse of the function −

Solution:

Step 1. Replace f(x) with y

Step 2. Interchange x and y

Step 3. Solve for the new y from the equation in step 2

( )
−
 −
− −

−
Step 4. Replace the new y with if the inverse is a function

−
−

Practice Test. Find the inverse functions of the following one-to-one functions:

1. 𝑓 𝑥 𝑥
2. 𝑓 𝑥 𝑥
3. 𝑓 𝑥 𝑥−
𝑥
4. 𝑓 𝑥 𝑥−
𝑥
5. 𝑓 𝑥 𝑥−

Key Answers:
3
1. 𝑓− 𝑥 𝑥
2. 𝑓− 𝑥 𝑥 8
𝑥
3. 𝑓− 𝑥
𝑥
− 𝑥
4. 𝑓 𝑥 𝑥−
− 𝑥
5. 𝑓 𝑥 𝑥−

References:

1. Versoza, et. Al., General Mathematics, Commission on Higher Education (2016), Manila
2. Orlando A. Orence, General Mathematics (First Edition, 2016), Rex Book Store, Manila.