M 1310 3.

7 Inverse Functions 1
One-to-One Functions and Their Inverses
Let f be a function with domain A. f is said to be one-to-one if no two
elements in A have the same image.
Example ! Determine if the following function is one-to-one.
a.
Domain f Range
a -1
b 2
c
b.
Domain g Range
a -1
b
c
! one-to-one function has an inverse function.
"he inverse function reverses whatever the first function #i#.
$%am&le' "he formula
(
) * 32

= + f x x is use# to convert from x

#egrees +elsius to y #egrees Fahrenheit. "he formula

) * ) 32*
(
= g x x is use# to convert from x #egrees Fahrenheit to y
#egrees +elsius
"he inverse of a function f is #enote# b,
1
f - rea# .f-inverse/.

1
1
) *
) *

f x
f x
M 1310 3.7 Inverse Functions 2
Example "! !ssume that the #omain of f is all real numbers an# that f is one-to-
one. If
f )7* 0 ( an# f )(* 0 -12- then what is
1
)(* 1

f
1
) 12* 1

f
Example #!
If f an# g are inverse functions-
) 2* 3 = f
an#
)3* 2 = f
. Fin#
) 2* g
.
$omain and %ange!
"he #omain of f is the range of
1
f an# the range of f is the #omain of
1
f .
These two statements mean exactl& the same thing!
1. f is one-to-one )1-1*
2. f has an inverse function
M 1310 3.7 Inverse Functions 3
2ro&ert, of Inverse Functions
3et f an# g be two functions such that
) *) * = f g x x o
for ever, x in the #omain of
g an#
) *) * = g f x x o
for ever, x in the #omain of f then f and g are inverses of
each other.
Example '!
4how that the following functions are inverses of each other.

3
) *
5

=
x
f x an#
) * 3 5 = g x x
(ow to find the inverse of a function! )if it exists*+
. Re&lace .
) * f x
/ b, .,/.
". $%change % an# ,.
#. 4olve for ,.
'. Re&lace .,/ b, .
1
) *

f x /.
,. 6erif,7
M 1310 3.7 Inverse Functions 5
Example ,!
Fin# the inverse function of
) * 2 7 = f x x
.
Example -!
!ssume
) * f x
is a one-to-one function. Fin# the inverse function
1
) *

f x given
that

3
) * 2 = f x x
Example .!
Fin# the inverse function
1
) *

f x given that

2
) * = f x x
M 1310 3.7 Inverse Functions
Example /!
!ssume
) * g x
is a one-to-one function. Fin# the inverse function
1
) *

g x
given that


1
) *
2
=
+
g x
x
Example 0! !ssume
) * g x
is a one-to-one function. Fin# the inverse function
1
) *

g x given that


5 3
) *
8

=

x
g x
x