Finding the Inverse of a Function

1
The definition of the inverse of a function tells us that the domain of f is equal to the range of r- , and vice-versa. This means
that if the function f is the set of ordered pairs (x, y), then the inverse off is the set of ordered pairs (y, x). If a function is defined
by an equation, we can obtain the equation for r-•, the inverse off, by interchanging the role of x and yin the equation for the
function f.

The equation for the inverse of a function f can be found as follows:

1. Replace f(x) with yin the equation for f(x).

2. Interchange x and y.
3. Solve for y. If this equation does not define y as a function of x, the function f does not have an inverse function and this
procedure ends. If this equation does define y as a function of x, the function f has an inverse function.
4. !ff has an Inverse function, replace yin step 3 by r-1 (x). We can verify our result by showing that f(f-'(x)) = x and
r- 1 (f(x)) = x.

Example 3. Flndlnc the lnvene of a Function

Find the Inverse of f(x) = 7x - 5.

Solution:

Step l Replace r(x) with y: y = 7x - 5

Step 2 lnterchanp x and y: X = 7y - 5

+ 5 = 7y (Transpose -5 to the other side.)

Step 3 Solve for y: X

XH
,=Y (Divide both sides by 7.)

Step 4 Replace y with r-• (x) ,-•ex)=~-

'
Thus, the Inverse of f(x) = 7x -
...·
5 .1s r- •(x) = ,

Try: Find the inverse of f(x) = 2x + 7.

Example 4. Flndlnc the Inverse of a Function

Find the Inverse of f(x) = x 1 + 1.

Solution:

Step l Replace r(x) with y: y = x3 +1

Step 2 Interchange x and y: x=y1 +1

X - 1 = y3 (Transpose -1 to the other side.)

Step 3 Solve for y:

1/x - 1 = y (Get the cube root both sides.)

Step 4 Replace y with r- 1 (x) r-•cx) = 1/x - 1.

Thus, the inverse of f(x) = x3 + 1 is r- 1 (x) = 1/x - 1.

Try: Find the inverse of f(x) = 4x3 - 1.

Finding the Inverse of a Function
1
The definition of the inverse of a function tells us that the domain of f is equal to the range of r- , and vice-versa. This means
that if the function f is the set of ordered pairs (x, y), then the inverse off is the set of ordered pairs (y, x). If a function is defined
by an equation, we can obtain the equation for r-•, the inverse off, by interchanging the role of x and yin the equation for the
function f.

The equation for the inverse of a function f can be found as follows:

1. Replace f(x) with yin the equation for f(x).

2. Interchange x and y.
3. Solve for y. If this equation does not define y as a function of x, the function f does not have an inverse function and this
procedure ends. If this equation does define y as a function of x, the function f has an inverse function.
4. !ff has an Inverse function, replace yin step 3 by r-1 (x). We can verify our result by showing that f(f-'(x)) = x and
r- 1 (f(x)) = x.

Example 3. Flndlnc the lnvene of a Function

Find the Inverse of f(x) = 7x - 5.

Solution:

Step l Replace r(x) with y: y = 7x - 5

Step 2 lnterchanp x and y: X = 7y - 5

+ 5 = 7y (Transpose -5 to the other side.)

Step 3 Solve for y: X

XH
,=Y (Divide both sides by 7.)

Step 4 Replace y with r-• (x) ,-•ex)=~-

'
Thus, the Inverse of f(x) = 7x -
...·
5 .1s r- •(x) = ,

Try: Find the inverse of f(x) = 2x + 7.

Example 4. Flndlnc the Inverse of a Function

Find the Inverse of f(x) = x 1 + 1.

Solution:

Step l Replace r(x) with y: y = x3 +1

Step 2 Interchange x and y: x=y1 +1

X - 1 = y3 (Transpose -1 to the other side.)

Step 3 Solve for y:

1/x - 1 = y (Get the cube root both sides.)

Step 4 Replace y with r- 1 (x) r-•cx) = 1/x - 1.

Thus, the inverse of f(x) = x3 + 1 is r- 1 (x) = 1/x - 1.

Try: Find the inverse of f(x) = 4x3 - 1.

 Ho,;,o ntal line Test aod One-to .One F,ncti on,
~
/
~~=the inverse of the standard quadratic function, f(x) = xi.

Step 1 Replace f(x) with y: y = xi

Step 2 Interchange x and y: X = y2

Step 3 Solve for y: ±-./x = y
Step 4 Replace y with r-•(x) r-• (x) = ±-.fx
positive real numbers), there are two values of y. Because this
The± in the last equation shows that for certain values of x (all
quadratic function does not have an inverse function.
equation does not represent Y as a function of x, the standard

The Horizon tal Une Test for Inverse Functions

r- 1• if there is no horizontal line that intersects the graph of the function
f at more
A function f has an inverse that is a function,
than one point.

uample S. Applying the Horizontal Une Test

functions?
Which of the followin g graphs represent functions that have inverse

t the graph more than once. (Refer to the graph

Solution: Observe that horizontal lines drawn in parts (b) and (c) intersec
are not graphs of function s with inverse functions. By contrast,
below) The graphs do not pass the horizontal line test. Hence, these
graphs more than once. These graphs pass the horizontal line test.
no horizontal line can be drawn In (a) and (d) that intersect the
s.
Thus, these graphs represe nt function s that have inverse function

Discovery:
-
Noia~

How might you restrict the domain of (bl so that the remaining
ff.b1Diftl"Cl'\C

portion passes
laaclioo

the horizontal line test?

 Which of the following graphs represent functions that have inverse functions?

(1) (bl (<)

G
fhere is a relationship between the graph of a one-to-one function, f, and its inverse,
1
r-
. Because inverse functions have
r• •
ordered pairs with the coordinates reversed, if the point (a, b) is on the graph of/. then the point (b, a) is on the graph of
t'he points (a, b) and (b, a) are symmetric with respect to the line y = x. Thus, the graph of r• Is a reflection of the graph off
ibout the line y = x.
h
s
y
0

f ,,
c...,~ tH , , / ~j
, ,
,,
,,
a
n
d

,,
--,-1,~------------► X
~

The graph of r• is Cl reflectio11 of the _gmph off about y = x.

Example: Use the graph below to draw the graph of its inverse.

--4
.!.S
 lution: F'irst not
function . eecause the po· e that no honzontal
• lin •
(-2•-3)•(0•-1), and (2.4). (-3
mtsThe o f and emtersect
gr~;~\(-1,0),
. ,,
r'
andare(4,2;
seent:re graphthe
o: t~: graph below.
of /,than
at more
offgraph o • 0 so/! does have an inverse
the~:;:"\ contains the points

y
5 /
4
(2,4) ,,L
3 ,, •

• .., 2 ,/
' (-1,0) I ' (4,2)
--+-4 \
• (-~-42)'· .- i{ I 2 3 4 5 .t
I - ' - / (0, -1)
I
/ , ' -3 (',,.r11,1I
/(-2,-3) - J
I
/ -5
,, •

EXERCISES. TO BE SUBMITTED (A4 size bond paper)

F""' /(9(xl) '"" 9(f(xll aod '"'"";"' ....,, "'' p,i """"""'I,_, g "'...,.. ,, '"' "'"

1. f (x) == 4x and g(x) == !4

2. f (x) == 6x and g(x) == !6
3. f (x) == 3x +Band g(x) == ~
3

4. f(x) == 4x + 9 and g(x) == :::!

4

5. f (x) == 2-
x-4
and g(x) == !X + 4
2 2
6. f(x) == and g(x) ==; + 5
,;od " ,.,..,.0to, r C(x), ,,. ;..... """'"· v,,ifVV""..""'" ;, "'"" .,•""""' ••, I (rC(,}) 0 X'"'

rl(f(X)) := X,

7. f(x)==x+3
8. f (x) == 2x
3
9. f (x) == x + 2 3
10. f (x) == (x + 2)
11. f (x) ==:X
12. f(X) =" ,/i