Evaluating, Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying,

Dividing Functions,
Function Composition, and Inverses: A
Comprehensive Guide
David Nyirenda
Malawi University of Science and Technology
Email: bioengineerdavid@gmail.com
Contact: +265991270374

Introduction
Understanding how to evaluate functions, perform operations on functions, com-
pose functions, and find inverses is crucial in mathematics. This guide provides
a comprehensive overview of these concepts with detailed examples for better
comprehension.

Evaluating Functions at Given Values

To evaluate a function at a given value of x, substitute the value of x into the
function and compute the result.
Example: Evaluate f (x) = 2x2 + 3x − 1 at x = 2.
Solution:

f (2) = 2(2)2 + 3(2) − 1 = 2(4) + 6 − 1 = 8 + 6 − 1 = 13

Adding and Subtracting Functions

To add or subtract functions, add or subtract corresponding terms of the func-
tions.
Example: Let f (x) = 3x + 2 and g(x) = 2x − 5. Find (f + g)(x) and
(f − g)(x).
Solution:

(f + g)(x) = f (x) + g(x) = (3x + 2) + (2x − 5) = 5x − 3

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 (f − g)(x) = f (x) − g(x) = (3x + 2) − (2x − 5) = x + 7

Multiplying and Dividing Functions

To multiply or divide functions, distribute or divide each term of one function
by each term of the other function.  
Example: Let f (x) = 2x and g(x) = x2 − 1. Find (f · g)(x) and fg (x).
Solution:

(f · g)(x) = f (x) · g(x) = 2x · (x2 − 1) = 2x3 − 2x

 
f f (x) 2x
(x) = = 2
g g(x) x −1

Function Composition
Function composition involves applying one function to the result of another
function. It is denoted as (f ◦ g)(x) = f (g(x)).
Example: Let f (x) = x2 and g(x) = 3x + 1. Find (f ◦ g)(x) and (g ◦ f )(x).
Solution:
(f ◦ g)(x) = f (g(x)) = f (3x + 1) = (3x + 1)2
(g ◦ f )(x) = g(f (x)) = g(x2 ) = 3x2 + 1

Inverse of a Function
The inverse of a function f , denoted as f −1 , is a function that ”reverses” the
action of f . In other words, if f maps x to y, then f −1 maps y back to x.
For example, if f (x) = y, then f −1 (y) = x. The function f −1 undoes the
effect of f .

Relationship between Functions and Their Inverses

The relationship between a function f and its inverse f −1 is such that:

• Applying f followed by f −1 (or vice versa) to a value returns the original

value. In mathematical terms, f (f −1 (x)) = x and f −1 (f (x)) = x for all
x in the domain of f and f −1 .

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 Proof:
Let f : A → B be a function with an inverse f −1 : B → A.

proof

Let y = f −1 (x). Then, by the definition of inverse, we have f (y) = x.

Now, substitute y = f −1 (x) into f (f −1 (x)):

f (f −1 (x)) = f (y) = x

This shows that f (f −1 (x)) = x for all x in the domain of f and f −1 .

Also,
Let y = f (x). Then, by the definition of inverse, we have f −1 (y) = x.
Now, substitute y = f (x) into f −1 (f (x)):

f −1 (f (x)) = f −1 (y) = x

This shows that f −1 (f (x)) = x for all x in the domain of f and f −1 .

Therefore, we have proved that f (f −1 (x)) = x and f −1 (f (x)) = x for all
x in the domain of f and f −1 .
• The graph of f −1 is the reflection of the graph of f across the line y = x.

• Not all functions have inverses. For a function to have an inverse, it must
be one-to-one, meaning that each input corresponds to exactly one output.

Calculating the Inverse

Linear Function
To find the inverse of a linear function f (x) = mx + b, where m and b are
constants:
1. Write the function: y = mx + b.
2. Swap x and y: x = my + b.
3. Solve for y:
x−b
y=
m
4. Write the inverse:
x−b
f −1 (x) =
m

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Trigonometric Function
To find the inverse of a trigonometric function such as f (x) = sin(x):
1. Write the function: y = sin(x).
2. Swap x and y: x = sin(y).
3. Solve for y:
y = sin−1 (x)
4. Write the inverse:
f −1 (x) = sin−1 (x)

Logarithmic Function
To find the inverse of a logarithmic function such as f (x) = loga (x):
1. Write the function: y = loga (x).
2. Swap x and y: x = loga (y).
3. Solve for y:
y = ax
4. Write the inverse:
f −1 (x) = ax

Exponential Function
To find the inverse of an exponential function such as f (x) = ex :
1. Write the function: y = ex .
2. Swap x and y: x = ey .
3. Solve for y:
y = ln(x)
4. Write the inverse:
f −1 (x) = ln(x)

Determining Inverses
To find the inverse of a function, swap the roles of x and y, and solve for y.

Quadratic Functions
To find the inverse of a quadratic function f (x) = ax2 + bx + c:
1. Write the function: Start with the given quadratic function f (x) =
ax2 + bx + c.
2. Replace f (x) with y: Replace f (x) with y, so the function becomes
y = ax2 + bx + c.
3. Swap x and y: Swap x and y, so the equation becomes x = ay 2 + by + c.
4. Solve for y: Rearrange the equation to solve for y. This may involve
completing the square or using the quadratic formula.
5. Write the inverse: After solving for y, replace y with f −1 (x) to obtain
the inverse function.

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Demonstrative Examples
Examples: Finding Inverses
(a) f (x) = 2x + 3
1. Write the function: y = 2x + 3.
2. Swap x and y: x = 2y + 3.
3. Solve for y:
x = 2y + 3
x − 3 = 2y
x−3
y=
2
4. Write the inverse:
x−3
f −1 (x) =
2

(b) f (t) = 7 − 5t2

1. Write the function: y = 7 − 5t2 .
2. Swap t and y: t = 7 − 5y 2 .
3. Solve for y:
t = 7 − 5y 2
5y 2 = 7 − t
7−t
y2 =
5
r
7−t
y=±
5
4. Write the inverse: r
7−t
f −1 (t) = ±
5

(c) f (x) = 4 sin(9x)

1. Write the function: y = 4 sin(9x).
2. Swap x and y: x = 4 sin(9y).
3. Solve for y:
x = 4 sin(9y)
x
= sin(9y)
 x 4
sin−1 = 9y
4
sin−1 x4


y=
9
4. Write the inverse:
sin−1 x4


−1
f (x) =
9

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(d) h(r) = ln(3r) + 1
1. Write the function: y = ln(3r) + 1.
2. Swap r and y: r = ln(3y) + 1.
3. Solve for y:
r = ln(3y) + 1
r − 1 = ln(3y)
3r = 3y
3r
y=
3
1 r
y = ·3
3
4. Write the inverse:
1 r
h−1 (r) = ·3
3

Cubic Functions
To find the inverse of a cubic function g(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d:
1. Write the function: Start with the given cubic function g(x) = ax3 +
2
bx + cx + d.
2. Replace g(x) with y: Replace g(x) with y, so the function becomes
y = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d.
3. Swap x and y: Swap x and y, so the equation becomes x = ay 3 + by 2 +
cy + d.
4. Solve for y: Rearrange the equation to solve for y. This may involve
factoring, grouping terms, or using other algebraic techniques.
5. Write the inverse: After solving for y, replace y with g −1 (x) to obtain
the inverse function.
It’s important to note that not all functions have inverses, and those that
do must pass the horizontal line test. Additionally, inverse functions can only
be found for one-to-one functions, where each input corresponds to exactly one
output. If a function is not one-to-one, it may be possible to restrict the domain
to make it one-to-one and find an inverse on that restricted domain.

Exercises
1. Evaluate f (x) = 3x2 − 2x + 5 at x = −1.
2. Let f (x) = 2x + 3 and g(x) = x2 − 4. Find (f + g)(x) and (f − g)(x).
 
3. Let f (x) = x2 − 1 and g(x) = x1 . Find (f · g)(x) and fg (x).
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4. Let f (x) = 3x − 1 and g(x) = x+2 . Find (f ◦ g)(x) and (g ◦ f )(x).
x
5. Find the inverse of f (x) = 2 + 4.