In ve rse of a

Lin ear Fu nctio n

MATH PRO JEC T

 FINDING INVERSES OF LINEAR FUNCTIONS

An inverse relation maps the output values back to their

original input values. This means that the domain of the
inverse relation is the range of the original relation and
that the range of the inverse relation is the domain of the
original relation.

Original relation Inverse relation

x – 2 DOMAIN
–1 0 1 2 x 4 DOMAIN
2 0 –2 –4
y 4 RANGE
2 0 –2 –4 y – 2 RANGE
–1 0 1 2
 FINDING INVERSES OF LINEAR FUNCTIONS
Original relation Inverse relation

x –2 –1 0 1 2 x 4 2 0 –2 –4
y 4 2 0 –2 –4 y –2 –1 0 1 2

Graph of original
relation y = x

Reflection in y = x

Graph of inverse
relation
FINDING INVERSES OF LINEAR FUNCTIONS

To find the inverse of a relation that is given by an

equation in x and y, switch the roles of x and y and
solve for y (if possible).
 Finding an Inverse Relation

Find an equation for the inverse of the relation y = 2 x – 4.

SOLUTION

y=2x–4 Write original relation.

x =2y – 4 Switch x
x  and yy.
x + 4 = 2y 4  to each side.
Add  4
1x+2=y Divide each side by 2.
2
2

The inverse relation is y = 1 x + 2.

2
If both the original relation and the inverse relation happen to be
functions, the two functions are called inverse functions.
 Finding an Inverse Relation

I N V E R S E   F U N C T I O N S 

Functions  f  and  g  are inverses of each other provided:

f (g (x)) =  x and  g ( f (x)) = x

–1
The function g is denoted by  f , read as “f  inverse.”

Given any function, you can always find its inverse relation
by switching x and y.
For a linear function f (x ) = mx + b where m ≠ 0, the
inverse is itself a linear function.
 Verifying Inverse Functions

Verify that f (x) = 2 x – 4 and g (x) =

1 x + 2 are inverses.
2
SOLUTION

Show that f (g (x)) = x and g (f (x)) = x.

1
(
f (g (x)) = f 2 x + 2 ) g (f (x)) = g (2x – 4)
1
( )
= 2 2x + 2 – 4 = 1 (2x – 4) + 2
2
= x+4 – 4 = x–2+2
=x =x
 FINDING INVERSES OF NONLINEAR FUNCTIONS
Finding an Inverse Power Function

Find the inverse of the function f (x) = x 2. x ≥ 0

SOLUTION

f (x) = x 2 Write original function.

y = x2 Replace original  f (x) with y.

x = y2 Switch x and y.

±    x = y
    Take square roots of each side.
 FINDING INVERSES OF NONLINEAR FUNCTIONS
g (x) =
The graphs of the power functions f ((xx)) == xx 2 and g (x)
2
3 = x are
3
x  

shown along with their reflections in the line y = x.

Notice that the inverse of g  (x) = x 33 is a function, but that
of ff ((x
inverse of
the inverse x)) == xx 22 is not a function.

On the other hand, the graph of Notice that the graph  (xf
gof  
 )( = )x= 3 x 2
x
g   (x ) =   
3x
–1
g (x) = xf3(xcannot
 ) = x 
2 be intersected can be intersected twice with a
twice with a horizontal line and horizontal line and that its inverse
its inverse is a function. is not a function.

x = y 2

If the domain of f (x) = x 2 is restricted, say to only nonnegative

numbers, then the inverse of f is a function.
FINDING INVERSES OF NONLINEAR FUNCTIONS

 H O R I Z O N T A L   L I N E   T E S T
 

If no horizontal line intersects the graph 
of a function f  more than once, then the 
inverse of f  is itself a function.
 Modeling with an Inverse Function

ASTRONOMY Near the end of a

star’s life the star will eject gas,
forming a planetary nebula. The
Ring Nebula is an example of a
planetary nebula.

The volume V (in cubic kilometers) of this nebula

can be modeled by V = (9.01 X 10 26 ) t 3 where t
is the age (in years) of the nebula. Write the
inverse function that gives the age of the nebula
as a function of its volume.
 Modeling with an Inverse Function

Volume V can be modeled by V = (9.01 X 10 26 ) t 3

Write the inverse function that gives the age of the nebula
as a function of its volume.
SOLUTION
V = (9.01 X 1026 ) t 3 Write original function.
V
= t3 Isolate power.
9.01 X 10 26

3 V =t Take  cube root 
9.01 X 10 26 of each side.

Simplify.
(1.04 X 10– 9 ) 3 V = t
 Modeling with an Inverse Function

Determine the approximate age of the Ring Nebula given

that its volume is about 1.5 X 10 38 cubic kilometers.

SOLUTION

To find the age of the nebula, substitute 1.5 X 10 38 for V.

t = (1.04 X 10– 9 ) 3 V Write inverse function.

= (1.04 X 10– 9 ) 3 1.5 X 1038 Substitute for V.

≈ 5500 Use calculator.

The Ring Nebula is about 5500 years old.