What is a one to one function?

To easily remember what one to one

functions are, try to recall this
statement: “for every y, there is a
unique x.” The next two sections
will show you why this phrase helps
us remember the core concept
behind one to one functions.
Consider the table of values for the
function given by the equation y=2x-1

X -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
y -9 -7 -5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7
Consider the table of values for the
function given by the equation y=2x-
1
X -9 -7 -5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7
y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Another example

X -4 -3 -2 -1 -0 1 2 3 4
y -1 -1 -1 -1 0 1 1 1 1
Another example

X -1 -1 -1 -1 0 1 1 1 1
y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Inverting Functions

• If the x and y values of a one-to-one

function are interchanged, the result is a
function.
• If the x and y values of a function that is not
one-to-one are inverted, the result is no
longer a function.
INVERSE ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTION

•Let f be a one-to-one function with

domain A and range B. Then the
inverse of f, denoted f-1, is a function
with domain B and range A defined by
f-1(y)=x if and only if f(x)= y for any y in
B.
A FUNCTION HAS AN INVERSE
IF AND ONLY IF IT IS ONE-TO-
ONE.
To find the inverse of a one-to-one function

•1. write the function in the form

y=f(x)
•2. interchange the x and y variables;
•3. solve for y in terms of x.