Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

General Mathematics
SY 2022 – 2023

Unit I: Functions
Lesson #7: Inverse Functions

Introduction
Hi, students! Imagine a reversible exhaust fan. If you switch
it to one direction, it will pump air outside the building. Once
switched to the other direction, it will pump air inside the
building. If some physical machines can run in two
directions, we might ask whether some of the function
“machines” we have been studying can also run backwards.

Image Source: Siggy Nowak, Pixabay.com

This module will cover a review about one-to-one correspondence of a function discussed in Module 1
and will tackle key concepts about “reversing” functions, which are called “Inverse Functions”.

Learning Objectives

After studying this module with 80% to 100% accuracy, you should be able to:
a. create examples of inverse relations in real-life scenarios;
b. solve inverse function precisely; and
c. verify if two functions are inverse using composition of functions.

Pre-requisite Skills / Review

As per the discussion in Module 1, there are several types of mapping for relations and functions. One
of these is one-to-one correspondence.

A function 𝑓 is one-to-one if for each 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓 has exactly one 𝑦 in the range and has no 𝑦
in the range is the image of more than one 𝑥 in the domain.

Example:

𝑓 = {(1, 5), (2, 6), (3, 7), (4, 8)} (observe that no domain and range were repeated)

We can also prove that a function is one-to-one if we use the horizontal line test on its graph.

Horizontal Line Test

A function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is one-to-one if and only if no horizontal, line intersects the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
with more than one point.

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SY 2022 – 2023

Example:

The function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7 is not one-to-one on the real number because the line 𝑦 = 7 intersects
the graph at (0, 7) and (4, 7).

Graph:

Now that we have recalled the concept of one-to-one function, what is its application to this module?
Let’s find out as we proceed to the first topic of this lesson: inverse relation.

Lesson 5.1 – Inverse Relation

Every function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) has an inverse relation 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑦). The ordered pairs of the function 𝑓 are
reversed to produce the ordered pairs of the inverse relation.

Practice Problem #1

Given the function 𝑓 = {(1, 1), (2, 3), (3, 1), (4, 2)} , its domain is {1, 2, 3, 4} and its range
{1, 2, 3}. What is its inverse relation?

Solution:

The inverse function of 𝑓 is {(1, 1), (3, 2), (1, 3), (2, 4)}

As you may see on practice problem #1, the domain of the inverse relation is the range of the original
function and the range of the inverse relation is the domain of the original function.

Since the values of the domain and range interchange, the graphs of a relation and its inverse are
reflections in the line y = x.

Practice Problem #2

(𝑥 3 −2)
Find the graph of the inverse relation geometrically from the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = .
4

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General Mathematics
SY 2022 – 2023

Solution:

The ordered pairs of f are

(𝑥 3 −2)
given by the equation 𝑦 = .
4

The ordered pairs of the inverse are

(𝑦 3 −2)
given by equation 𝑥 = .
4

By looking at practice problem #2, you can see that the graph of the function and its inverse are
reflections in the line y = x.

Lesson 5.2 – Inverse Functions

Let 𝑓 denote a one-to-one function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). The inverse of 𝑓, denoted by 𝑓 −1 , is a function such that
𝑓 −1 (𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥 for every domain of 𝑓 and 𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = 𝑥 for every 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓 −1 .

Note:

1. To find the inverse of a function algebraically, interchange 𝑥 and 𝑦 and solve for 𝑦.

2. Domain of 𝑓 = Range of 𝑓 −1 , and Range of 𝑓 = Domain of 𝑓 −1 .

Practice Problem #3

Find the inverse function of 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 2.

Solution:

𝑥−2
Therefore, 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = .
3

Practice Problem #4
5
Find the inverse function of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−3.

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SY 2022 – 2023

Solution:

3𝑥+5
Therefore, 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = .
𝑥

Practice Problem #5

Find the inverse function of 𝑓(𝑥) = √2𝑥 − 3.

Solution:

𝑥 2 +3
Therefore, 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = .
2

Lesson 5.3 – Verifying Inverse Functions

We already know how to get the inverse of functions, but how can we verify if a given function is an
inverse of another function? Any idea?

To verify inverse functions, recall the concept of composite functions. Given a function 𝑓(𝑥), to verify
whether some other function 𝑔(𝑥) is the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) the following should hold true: 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥
or 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑥.

Practice Problem #6
𝑥+1
Verify that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 1
2

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SY 2022 – 2023

Solution:

(𝑓(𝑥) + 1 ((2𝑥 − 1) + 1 2𝑥
𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = = = =𝑥
2 2 2
𝑥+1
𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 2𝑔(𝑥) − 1 = 2 ( ) − 1 = (𝑥 + 1) − 1 = 𝑥
2

It follows that 𝑔 = 𝑓 −1 .

Practice Problem #7
𝑥+2
Verify that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 is the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) = 3

Solution:

(𝑓(𝑥) + 2 ((3𝑥 − 2) + 2 3𝑥
𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = = = =𝑥
3 3 3
𝑥+2
𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 3𝑔(𝑥) − 2 = 3 ( ) − 2 = (𝑥 + 2) − 2 = 𝑥
3

It follows that 𝑔 = 𝑓 −1 .

Key Concepts

✓ A function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is one-to-one if and only if no horizontal, line intersects the graph of 𝑦 =
𝑓(𝑥) with more than one point.
✓ The domain of the inverse relation is the range of the original function and the range of the
inverse relation is the domain of the original function.
✓ The graphs of a relation and its inverse are reflections in the line y = x.
✓ To find the inverse of a function algebraically, interchange 𝑥 and 𝑦 and solve for 𝑦.
✓ Given a function 𝑓(𝑥), to verify whether some other function 𝑔(𝑥) is the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) the
following should hold true: 𝒈(𝒇(𝒙)) = 𝒙 or 𝒇(𝒈(𝒙)) = 𝒙.

Learning Activity

Tutorial Videos

For more information and examples, watch these videos:

1. Inverse Function: https://youtu.be/oZroMnPd8uQ
2. How to Find the Inverse of a Function: https://youtu.be/2zeYEx4eTdc
3. Verifying Inverse Functions: https://youtu.be/6QamgSPprjA
(These videos will show more examples on how to find and verify inverse of functions.)
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General Mathematics
SY 2022 – 2023

References

Maths Genie. (2016, Feb 25). Inverse function. Youtube.

https://youtu.be/oZroMnPd8uQ

The Organic Chemistry Tutor. (2017, Sept 8). How to find the inverse of a function. Youtube.

https://youtu.be/2zeYEx4eTdc

The Organic Chemistry Tutor. (2018, Feb 11). Verifying inverse functions. Youtube.

https://youtu.be/6QamgSPprjA

Enrichment Activity

I. Are all inverse relations considered as functions? Get the inverse of each relation below then identify
which among these inverse relations are functions.
a) {(1, − 3), (−2, 3), (5, 4), (6, 4)}
b) {(0, 0), (5, − 6), (1, − 1), (7, − 7)}
c) {(−5, 7), (−6, − 8), (1, − 2), (10, 3)}

II. Find the inverse of each function.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = −5𝑥 − 7
b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 4
2−𝑥
c) 𝑓(𝑥) = 5

III. Verify that 𝑓 and 𝑔 are inverse function.

𝑥−2
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 + 2; 𝑔(𝑥) = 5
𝑥 2 +4
b) 𝑓(𝑥) = ; 𝑔(𝑥) = √3𝑥 − 4
3

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