Inverse Functions (1)

Starter
Calculate the following composite functions, based on f(x) and g(x)

𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=𝑥 2 +6 𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=2 𝑥 −1
a) Find fg(x) b) Find gf(x) c) Find gg(x)

𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=𝑥 2 +6 Replace x
𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=2 𝑥 −1 Replace x
𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=2 𝑥 −1 Replace
x with
with g(x) with f(x)
g(x)
𝑓 ( 2 𝑥 − 1 )=¿( 2 𝑥 −1 )2 +6 Expand
𝑔 ( 𝑥 +6 ) =¿2 ( 𝑥 +6 ) − 1
2 2
Expand
𝑔 ( 2 𝑥 −1 ) =¿2 ( 2 𝑥 − 1 ) − 1 Expand
bracket bracket bracket
¿ 4 𝑥 2 − 4 𝑥+1+6 ¿ 2 𝑥 2 +12− 1 ¿ 4 𝑥 −2 −1
Simplify Simplify Simplify

¿ 4 𝑥 2 − 4 𝑥+7 ¿ 2 𝑥 2 +11 ¿ 4 𝑥 −3

𝑓𝑔 ( 𝑥 ) =4 𝑥 2 −4 𝑥+7 𝑔𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=2 𝑥2 +11 𝑔𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=4 𝑥 − 3

 Inverse Functions (1)
• Today we will be looking at Inverse Functions

• Every operation has an ‘opposite’, for example the

opposite of addition is subtraction

• The inverse of a function is the function that will

‘undo’ it and return you to the input

• Effectively, you can think of it as a function

machine, but in the opposite order
 Inverse Functions (1)
For simple functions, you can use the idea of a ‘function machine’

𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=𝑥 +7 𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=3 𝑥
As a ‘function machine’, f(x) As a ‘function machine’, g(x)
would look like this would look like this

Input +7 Output Input x3 Output

Input -7 Output Input ÷3 Output

𝑓 −1 ( 𝑥 )=𝑥 −7 𝑥
𝑔 −1 ( 𝑥 )=
3
f-1(x) means ‘the inverse
function of f(x) g-1(x) means ‘the inverse
function of g(x)
 Inverse Functions (1)
For simple functions, you can use the idea of a ‘function machine’

𝑥+ 4
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=5 (𝑥 +1)
2
As a ‘function machine’, f(x) As a ‘function machine’, g(x)
would look like this would look like this

Input +4 ÷2 Output Input +1 x5 Output

Input -4 x2 Output Input -1 ÷5 Output

𝑥
𝑓 −1 ( 𝑥 )=2 𝑥 − 4 𝑔 −1 ( 𝑥 )= −1
5
 Inverse Functions (1)
Remember that what we are finding is the new function that
reverses the operations of the first
To show you this, let’s consider a function and its inverse (that we just calculated)
𝑥
𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=5 (𝑥 +1) 𝑔 −1 ( 𝑥 )= −1
5
Lets calculate g(6) The answer is 35. Lets now calculate g-1(35)

𝑥
𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=5 (𝑥 +1) 𝑔 −1 ( 𝑥 )= −1
Replace ‘x’ 5
values with ‘6’ Replace ‘x’
𝑔 ( 6 )=5 (6+1) −1 35 values with ‘35’
𝑔 ( 35 )= −1
Calculate 5
𝑔 ( 6 )=35 Calculate

𝑔 −1 ( 35 )=6
The inverse function has ‘undone’ the first and we are back at the original value, 6
 Plenary
Given the function: 𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=6 𝑥 −10

a) Find the value of x for which f(x) = f -1(x) b) Find the value of f-1f(8)
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=6 𝑥 −10 (x by 6 then -10)
 The answer is just 8
−1 𝑥+10
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= (+10 then ÷ by 6)
6  The reason is that the f-1 will just
‘undo’ the f(x), so the number will
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) remain unchanged!
Sub in f(x) and f-1(x)
𝑥+10
6 𝑥 −10=
6 Multiply by 6
36 𝑥 − 60=𝑥 +10
Subtract x, Add 60
35 𝑥=70
Divide by 35
𝑥=2
 Plenary
If you plot a graph of f(x), the graph of f -1(x) is a reflection of it in the line y = x!
f(x)

f-1(x)
 Plenary
If you plot a graph of f(x), the graph of f -1(x) is a reflection of it in the line y = x!
f(x)

f-1(x)
 Plenary
If you plot a graph of f(x), the graph of f -1(x) is a reflection of it in the line y = x!
f(x)

f-1(x)
 Plenary
If you plot a graph of f(x), the graph of f -1(x) is a reflection of it in the line y = x!

f(x)

f-1(x)
 Summary
• We have looked at finding Inverse Functions

• We have seen that this is effectively reversing a

function machine

• It is important that you can look at an Algebraic

expression and figure out the order of operations

• Next lesson we will see some functions that are

trickier to reverse!