Scribd
Upload
93 views5 pages

Section 8.4 - Composite and Inverse Functions: (F G) (X) F (G (X) )

Math 126

Uploaded by

dpool2002
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
93 views5 pages

Section 8.4 - Composite and Inverse Functions: (F G) (X) F (G (X) )

Math 126

Uploaded by

dpool2002
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Math 127 - Section 8.

4 - Page 1

Section 8.4 - Composite and Inverse Functions


I.

Composition of Functions
A. If f and g are functions, then the composite function of f and g (written f

 g) is:

(f  g)(x) = f(g(x))
The domain of f

 g is the set of all x in the domain of g such that g(x) is in the domain of f.

B.

With composition, we are, in effect, substituting a number into g(x), finding out what y is, and
then substituting that answer into f(x).

C.

Examples - Let f(x) = 9 2x, g(x) = 5x + 2. find the following.


1. (f  g)(x)
First, we use the definition of composition to get:
(f  g)(x) = f(g(x))
Now we will substitute into this equation what g(x) is equal to:
(f  g)(x) = f(5x + 2)
Next, we substitute 5x + 2 in for x in f(x), EVEN THOUGH x IS REPEATED!
(f  g)(x) = 9 2(5x + 2)
Simplifying, we get:
Answer: (f  g)(x) = 5 + 10x
2.

Now you try one: (g  f)(x)


Answer: (g  f)(x) = 43 + 10x
Note that composition, in general, is not commutative.

3.

(f

 g)(3)

(f

 g)(3) = f(g(3))

(f

 g)(3) = f(5(3) + 2) = f(13)

(f

 g)(3) = 9 2(13)

Again, we start by using the definition of composition to get:


Substituting 3 for x in g(x), we get:
We now substitute 13 in for x in f(x) to get:

Simplifying, we get:
Answer: (f  g)(3) = 35
4.

Now you try one: (g  f)(3)


Answer: (g  f)(3) = 13

Copyright 2010 by John Fetcho. All rights reserved.

Math 127 - Section 8.4 - Page 2

5.
y = f(x)

a.

(f

 g)( 2)

(f

 g)( 2) = f(g(2))

(f

 g)( 2) = f(2)

y = g(x)

We start by using the definition of composition:


We now have to determine the value of y when x is 2 for the graph of g(x):

We next look at the graph of f(x) and determine the value of y when x is 2:
Answer: (f  g)( 2) = 3
b.

II.

Now you try one: (g  f)( 4)


Answer: (g  f)( 4) = 2

Inverse Properties
A.

Recall that for a real number A, the additive inverse was that real number B such that
A + B = 0.

B.

For a real number A 0, the multiplicative inverse is that real number B such that AB = 1.

C.

For a function f(x), the inverse function is that function g(x) such that ( f  g ) (x) = x and

D.

(g  f ) (x) = x.
Verifying that functions are inverses of each other.
1. Do the composition ( f  g ) (x). If the answer is x, you are halfway there.

Now do the composition (g  f ) (x). If this answer is also x, then f and g are inverse
-1
functions of each other. We then would write that g(x) = f (x). The "-1" is NOT an
exponent. This notation means that we have the inverse function of f(x). Note that f(x) is
-1
also g (x).
Examples - Determine if f(x) and g(x) are inverses of each other.
3
1. f(x) = 3 x 4 , g(x) = x + 4
We first do ( f  g ) (x).
2.

E.

( f  g ) (x) = f(g(x)) = f(x3 + 4)

( x 3 + 4) 4 =

x3 + 4 4 =

(g  f ) (x) = g(f(x)) = g(

Now substitute this in for x in f.


3

So this is half right. Now we do (g  f ) (x).

x3 = x

x4 )=( x4 ) +4=x-4+4=x
3

Answer: f(x) and g(x) are inverses.

Copyright 2010 by John Fetcho. All rights reserved.

Math 127 - Section 8.4 - Page 3

2.

Now you try one:

f(x) = 5x 9, g(x) =

x+5
9

Answer: f(x) and g(x) are not inverses.


III.

Inverse Functions
A.
B.

For a function f(x), the inverse function is that function g(x) such that ( f  g ) (x) = x and

(g  f ) (x) = x.

Verifying that functions are inverses of each other.


1. Do the composition ( f  g ) (x). If the answer is x, you are halfway there.
2.

Now do the composition (g  f ) (x). If this answer is also x, then f and g are inverse

functions of each other. We then would write that g(x) = f 1 (x). The "1" is NOT an
exponent. This notation means that we have the inverse function of f(x). Note that f(x) is
also g 1 (x).
IV. Determining if a Function has an Inverse
A.

A function f(x) is one-to-one if for every y in the range there is only one x in the domain that
corresponds to it.

B.

Horizontal Line Test: A function f(x) is not one-to-one if any horizontal line intersects the
graph of f(x) in more than one point.

C.

If a function f(x) is one-to-one, then its inverse is also a function. When this occurs, we write the
-1
inverse function as f (x) (read "f inverse of x"). Note that this is the functional inverse, NOT
the multiplicative inverse.

D.

Examples - Are these functions one-to-one?


1.

Answer: Not one-to-one.


2.

Answer: Yes one-to-one.

Copyright 2010 by John Fetcho. All rights reserved.

Math 127 - Section 8.4 - Page 4

3.

Now you try one:

Answer: Yes one-to-one.

V.

Finding the Inverse


A.

In general, to find the inverse of a relation, we switch x & y in the ordered pairs. Remember that
x is the domain, y is the range.

B.

This means, geometrically, that the graph of a relation and its inverse are reflections of each
other across the identity function line, f(x) = x.

C.

Finding the inverse of a function f(x)


1. Determine if the function is one-to-one.
2. Write y for f(x).
3. Switch x & y.
4. Solve for y.
5. Write f 1 (x) for y.
6.
7.

D.

Verify by showing that f  f 1 ( x) = f 1  f ( x ) = x .


Remember:
a. Domain of f is the range of f 1.
b. Range of f is the domain of f 1.

Examples - Find the inverse function.


1. f(x) = 4x 5
First, we write y for f(x).
y = 4x 5
Next, switch x & y.
x = 4y 5
Now we solve for y.
x+5
x + 5 = 4y
OR
= y
4
1
5
1
Answer: f (x) = x +
4
4
Verify:
5
5
1
1
f  f 1 ( x) = f(f 1 (x)) = f x + = 4 x + 5 = x + 5 5 = x So this is ok.
4
4
4
4

You verify that f 1  f ( x) = x .


Note that if we graph these, we make a table for the function that is the "easiest", then
switch x & y to get the table for the inverse.

Copyright 2010 by John Fetcho. All rights reserved.

Math 127 - Section 8.4 - Page 5

2.

f(x) = 3 x 5
First, we replace f(x) with y.
y = 3 x5
Now we switch x & y.
x = 3 y5
Now we solve for y.
3
3
x =y5
OR
x +5=y
3
1
Answer: f (x) = x + 5
Verify:

( f  f 1)( x) = f(f

You verify that f 1  f ( x) = x .

3.

Now you try one:

3
3
(x)) = f(x + 5) = 3 x3 + 5 5 = x3 = x. So this is ok.

f(x) = x + 1

1
Answer: f (x) = 3 x 1

VI. Graphing a function and its inverse.


A. Remember that to find the inverse, we switch x & y.
B. So if we make a table for f(x), to get a table for f 1 (x), we just switch x & y on the table.
C. Examples - Graph f(x) and f 1 (x) on the same set of axes.
1
5
1. f(x) = 4x 5, f 1 (x) = x +
4
4
Making a table for f(x) will be relatively easy, but f 1 (x) doesn't look so nice!
x
0
1

f(x) = 4x 5
5
1

Now graph both of these.

Switch x & y on the table


to get the table for f 1 (x).

f(x)

f (x) =

5
1

0
1

f 1 (x)

Copyright 2010 by John Fetcho. All rights reserved.

1
5
x+
4
4

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy