Graphically, the x and y values of a

point are switched.

The point (4, 7)
has an inverse
point of (7, 4)
AND
The point (-5, 3)
has an inverse
point of (3, -5)
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
Graphically, the x and y values of a point are switched.
If the function y = g(x)
contains the points
then its inverse, y = g
-1
(x),
contains the points
x 0 1 2 3 4
y 1 2 4 8 16
x 1 2 4 8 16
y 0 1 2 3 4
Where is there a
line of reflection?
The graph of a
function and
its inverse are
mirror images
about the line
y = x
y = f(x)
y = f
-1
(x)
y = x
Find the inverse of a function :
Example 1: y = 6x - 12
Step 1: Switch x and y:
x = 6y - 12
Step 2: Solve for y:
x = 6y 12
x +12 = 6y
x +12
6
= y
1
6
x + 2 = y
Example 2:
Given the function : y = 3x
2
+ 2 find the inverse:
Step 1: Switch x and y: x = 3y
2
+ 2
Step 2: Solve for y:
x = 3y
2
+ 2
x 2 = 3y
2
x 2
3
= y
2
x 2
3
= y
Steps for Finding the Inverse of a
One-to-One Function
Replace
f(x) with y
Trade x and
y places
Solve for y
y = f
-1
(x)
Find the inverse of
Replace
f(x) with y
Trade x and
y places
Solve for y
y = f
-1
(x)
( )
x
x f

=
2
4
x
y

=
2
4
y
x

=
2
4
( ) 4 2 = y x
4 2 = xy x
x xy 2 4 =
x
x
y

=
2 4
( )
x
x
x f
2 4
1

=

Lets check this by doing

1
f f
|
.
|

\
|

x
x
f f
4 2
2
4
1

x
x x 4 2 2
4
+
=
x =
Yes!
( )
x
x
x f
4 2
1

=

or
Find the inverse function of
f(x) = x
3
+ 2.

By Definition 5, we first write: y = x
3
+ 2.
Then, we solve this equation for x :


Finally, we interchange x and y :

So, the inverse function is:
3
3
2
2
x y
x y
=
=
INVERSE FUNCTIONS
3
2 y x =
1 3
( ) 2 f x x