12/9/2010

Given a function f , when does it

Inverse Function have an inverse function?
If f is a one-to-one function consisting of NOTE:
the ordered pairs (x, y), then there is a Every relation has an inverse
function f −1 called the inverse function relation.
of f. Every function has an inverse.
Every one-to-one function has an
( x, y ) ∈ f ⇔ ( y, x ) ∈ f −1 inverse function.
The inverse of a one-to-one
function is also one-to-one.

How to determine the inverse of Properties of the function

a function: and its inverse
1. Let y = f (x ) The domain of f −1 is the range of f.
2. Interchange x and y . The range of f −1 is the domain of f.
3. Solve for y in terms of x . The graphs of f and f −1 are symmetric
with respect to the line y = x .
y = f −1 ( x )
The function
the inverse function of
obtained in (3) is
f. ( f o f )(x) = ( f
−1 −1
)
o f (x ) = x , for all
x∈Df , x∈Df −1

y = x
f ( x) = 3 x − 4
Example:
1. f ( x) = 3 x − 4 Df = R
Rf = R
Solution:
1. y = 3x − 4
x+4
2. x = 3y − 4 f −1
(x ) =
3
x + 4 = 3y
x+4
3.
x+4
= y
f −1
(x ) =
3
3

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Verify ( f o f )(x) = ( f
−1 −1
)
o f (x) = x

( f o f )(x) = f ( f (x))
−1 −1 (f −1
)
o f (x) = f −1 ( f ( x))

 x+4 = f −1 (3x − 4)
= f 
 3  (3x − 4) + 4
=
 x+4 3
= 3 −4
 3  3x
= =x
= ( x + 4) − 4 = x 3

Example:
5x − 3
2. f ( x ) =
x +1 Note:
Solution: y ( x − 5) = − x − 3
5x − 3 5y -3 − x −3
Let y = ⇒ x= y=
x +1 y +1 x−5
x( y +1) = 5 y − 3 Hence,
−1 − x −3
xy + x = 5 y − 3 f (x) =
x −5
xy − 5 y = − x − 3
y ( x − 5) = − x − 3

Example:

3. g ( x ) = x −1

Solution:

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Example: D f = ( −∞,0] f -1 ( x )= − 4 - x
4. f ( x) = 4 − x 2 , x ≤ 0 R f = ( −∞,4] f ( x) = 4 − x 2 , x ≤ 0

Solution:
y = 4 − x2 , x ≤ 0
x = 4 − y2 , y ≤ 0
y 2 = 4 − x, y ≤ 0

y = − 4 − x , y ≤ 0 ⇒ f -1 ( x )= − 4 - x

Try This! ☺
 Find the inverse, domain, range and
sketch the graph of the function and
its inverse in one cartesian plane.

1. f (x) = 5x + 7 4. f ( x) = 1 − 3x
2− x
2. g(x) =
5x + 3
3. h ( x ) = x − 2, x ≥ 0
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