Inverse

What you should learn:

FUNCTIONS
1. Verify that 2 functions are
inverses of each other.
2. Use graphs of functions to
determine whether they have
inverse functions.
3. Use the Horizontal Line Test to
determine if functions are one-
to-one.
4. Find the inverse functions
algebraically.
5. Find the domain and range.
 RECALL:

Functions
A function is a rule of correspondence which
operates on one number (x-input) to give
another number (y-output).
 RECALL:
 Functions
Such correspondence states that for every x,
there is exactly one y. That is, no two distinct
ordered pairs have the same x-coordinates (y
values can be duplicated but not the x values).

 For a function , the set is the domain of the

function the range is the set .
 RECALL:
Functions
, ,

}
RECALL:
Functions
 Inverse
FUNCTIONS
Let be the inverse of the function

( 1,5 ) , ( 2,6 ) , ( 3,7 ) , ( 4,8 ) →( 5,1 ) , ( 6,2 ) , ( 7,3 ) ,( 8,4)

𝑓 : 𝐴→ 𝐵 ,
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=𝑥 +4 ,

By interchanging the 1st and 2nd coordinates,

(x,y)(y,x)
 Inverse
FUNCTIONS
−1 1
𝑓 (𝑥) ≠ (Not the reciprocal)
𝑓 (𝑥)
The functions have the effect of ‘undoing’ each
other, i.e, ‘undoes’ what ‘does’ to x.

The Domain of is equal to the Range of and the

Range of is equal to the Domain of .
 Inverse
FUNCTIONS

A function determines what y is if you know what x is. The

inverse of a function gives what x had to be to get that value
of y.
 Inverse
Examples
FUNCTIONS
 Definition: Inverse
FUNCTIONS
Suppose is a function.
A function is called the inverse of if
and .

 If is the inverse function of , then

rename as (or of if you wish).
 Inverse
FUNCTIONS
The composition of , or , produces the identity function.

𝑓 [𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) ]=𝑥= 𝑓
−1 −1
[ 𝑓 ( 𝑥)]

, ,

−1 −1
𝑓 [ 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) ]= 𝑓 ( 𝑥 +4 )= ( 𝑥 +4 ) − 4= 𝑥
 Inverse
Example
FUNCTIONS
Which of the functions is the inverse of ?

𝑥 −2 5
𝑔 ( 𝑥 )= h ( 𝑥 ) = +2
5 𝑥

Verify this by forming the composition of with , and

with .
𝑓 [𝑔 ( 𝑥 ) ] and 𝑓 [h ( 𝑥 ) ]
 Inverse
Solution: by def’n
FUNCTIONS
Conclusion: is the inverse
function of , and not . Also, we
confirm that

h [ 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) ]=𝑥
 Inverse
Example: Algebraic
FUNCTIONS
Find the inverse function of .
 Inverse
Example: Algebraic
FUNCTIONS

Verify:
 Inverse
Example: Algebraic
FUNCTIONS
Find the inverse function of .
GRAPH of an Inverse
FUNCTION
The graphs of and its
inverse are reflections or
mirror images of each
other reflected about the
identity function . If point ,
then the point .
 GRAPH of an Inverse
Example: Graphical
FUNCTION
Consider the functions and its inverse .
 GRAPH of an Inverse
Example: Graphical
FUNCTION
Sketch the graphs of the function and its inverse .
 One-to-One
A function is said to be 1-1 FUNCTIONS
if each value of the
dependent variable corresponds to exactly one
value of the independent variable. A function has
an inverse function if and only if is 1-1.
 One-to-One
FUNCTIONS
A function is said to be 1-1 if each value of the
dependent variable corresponds to exactly one
value of the independent variable. A function has
an inverse function if and only if is 1-1.

Horizontal Line Test. A function has an inverse

function if and only if no horizontal line intersects
the graph of at more than one point. This is an
essential characteristic of a 1-1 function.
 One-to-One
Examples
FUNCTIONS
(a) (b) (c)
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= √ 2 𝑥+3

(a) is 1-1; has an inverse function.

(b) is not 1-1; has no inverse function.
(c) is 1-1; has an inverse function.
 and FUNCTIONS

 Not all functions have inverse functions. Those

that do are called invertible.

 A function must be a one-to-one function to have

an inverse function.

 A function’s inverse may not always be a function.

 If a function is not one-to-one, apply domain

restrictions so that it becomes one-to-one.
 Exploratory
EXERCISES
1. What happens when you try to find the inverse
function of +1, that is not 1-1?

2. Restrict the domain of +1 to Use a graphing

tool to graph the function. Does the restricted
function have an inverse function?

3. Consider the function

Can you find the inverse of this function?
 Real-Life
Applications
 A stone is dropped from the top of a tower with
height 10m. The stone takes an amount of time to
hit the ground. Repeat this with towers of height
20m and 30m. You’ll find a function t(h) returning
the time t for height h.
Now, you want to know how deep a well is. Let drop
the stone and measure the time until the stone hits
the ground. Now you need the inverse function of t(h)
namely h(t) returning the height h when you input the
measured time t.
 Real-Life

Applications
When you bring an amount of 100 Euros to a bank,
after a year the bank adds 2% as interest rate. After
the first year you have 102 Euros. After 2 years
104.04, after 3 years 106.12 and so on. You‘ll find a
function m(y) returning the amount of money m after
y years.
Now you want to buy a toy helicopter for 130 Euros.
How many years your 100 Euros have to stay on the
bank account so the interest rate adds up to 130
Euros? You need the inverse function of m(y) namely
y(m) returning the years y when you input the target
amount of money m.
 Real-Life
Applications
 You go on vacation by airplane. If you chose a
destination, you’ll find the cheapest price for
this flight. This is basically a function p(d)
returning the ticket price p for the destination
d.
Unfortunately, you only have 210 Euros to spend
for a ticket. Which destination fits your budget? To
answer this you need the inverse function of p(d)
namely d(p) returning the destination d when you
input the max price p.
THANK YOU