Inverse functions

Domain of f (x) Range of f (x)

1
f ( x)  2 x  1 3
2 5

3 7

4 9

5 11

Range of f
1
( x) f 1 ( x) Domain of f 1
( x)
x 1
2
For a unique inverse to exist the function
must be one-one for the given domain.

Many-one functions can have an inverse

when the domain is restricted, so that part
of the domain will be one-one.
Inverse Functions
Some simple inverses

You need to be able to work out the

inverse of a given function. Function Inverse

f(x) = x + 4 f-1(x) = x - 4
If f(x) is the function, the inverse
is f-1(x)
g(x) = 2x g-1(x) = x/2

h(x) = 4x + 2 h-1(x) = x – 2/4

2E
Inverse Functions Find the inverse of the
following function

You need to be able to work out the

inverse of a given function. f(x) = 3x2 - 4

If f(x) is the function, the inverse y = 3x2 - 4

is f-1(x) +4

y + 4 = 3x2
To calculate the inverse of a
÷3
function, you need to make ‘x’ the
y + 4/ = x2
subject 3
Square
√(y + 4/3) = x root

The inverse is written

‘in terms of x’ f-1(x) = √(x + 4/3)
2E
Inverse Functions Find the inverse of the
following function

You need to be able to work out the

inverse of a given function. m(x) = 3/
(x – 1)

y = 3/
(x – 1)
If f(x) is the function, the inverse Multiply by
is f-1(x) (x – 1)
y(x – 1) = 3
Multiply the
To calculate the inverse of a bracket
function, you need to make ‘x’ the yx - y = 3
subject Add y
yx = 3 + y
Divide
x= 3 + y/
y
by y
The inverse is written
‘in terms of x’ m-1(x) = 3 + x/x
2E
 Graphs of inverse functions
1.
f ( x)  2 x  1
Reflections of each other in yx
2. f ( x)  x  1
3. f ( x)  3 x  4
4.
f ( x)  x 2
Given f ( x)  3x  4 x  R find the
1
inverse function f ( x), x  R
 1
Given f ( x) x  R, x  2 find
2 x
the inverse function
From the graph Domain Range
1 y  R, y  0
f ( x)  x  R, x  2
2 x

1 2x 1 x  R, x  0 y  R, y  2
f ( x) 
x
 13  6 x
Given f ( x) 
7
xR
A) Find the inverse function

1  7 x  13
f ( x) 
6
 13  6 x
Given f ( x) 
7
xR
B) Verify the result using x = 2
 13  6 x
Given f ( x) 
7
xR
1 1
C) Show that
ff ( x)  f f ( x)  x
 Self-inverse functions
1
f ( x)  f ( x)

x
Show that f ( x)  x  R, x  1
x 1
is self-inversed
Homework:
Exercise 2C page 29

Numbers: 2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13
 Even and Odd functions

The graph is The graph has 180

symmetrical about degrees rotational
the y axis symmetry about
f ( x)  f (  x) the origin (0,0)

f ( x)  x 2 f ( x)   f (  x)
f ( x)  x 4 f ( x)  x
f ( x)  cos x f ( x)  x 3 f ( x)  sin x