Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Your notes

Additional Maths
Functions
Contents
Language of Functions
Inverse Functions
Composite Functions

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 Language of Functions
Your notes

Introduction to functions
What is a mapping?
A mapping takes an 'input' from one set of values to an 'output' in another

Mappings can be
'many-one' (many 'input' values map to one 'output' value)
'one-one' (one 'input' value maps to one 'output' value)
You may also come across 'many-many' and 'one-many' functions

What is a function?
A function is a mapping where every 'input' value maps to a single 'output'
Therefore only many-one and one-one mappings are functions

What notation is used for functions?

Functions are denoted by f (x ) , g(x ) , etc

e.g. f (x ) = x 2 − 3x + 2

These would be pronounced as 'f of x', 'g of x', etc

There is an alternative notation

e.g. f: x ↦ x 2 − 3x + 2

Which may be pronounced 'the function f maps x to x-squared minus three x plus
two'

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How does a function work?
A function has an input (x ) and output (f (x ) or y) Your notes

Whatever goes in the bracket (instead of x ) with f, replaces the x on the other side

This is the input

If the input is known, the output can be calculated

For example, given the function f (x ) = 2x + 1

f (3) = 2 × 3 + 1 = 7
f ( − 4) = 2 × ( − 4) + 1 = − 7
f (a) = 2a + 1
If the output is known, an equation can be formed and solved to find the input

For example, given the function f (x ) = 2x + 1

If f (x ) = 15, the equation 2x + 1 = 15 can be formed

Solving this equation gives an input of 7

Worked Example
A function is defined as f (x ) = 3x 2 − 2x + 1 .

a) Find f (7) .

The input is x = 7 , so substitute 7 into the expression everywhere you see an x .

f (7) = 3(7) 2 − 2(7) + 1

Calculate.

f (7) = 3( 49) − 14 + 1
= 147 − 14 + 1

f 7 = 134
( )

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 b) Find f (x + 3) .

Your notes
The input is x = x + 3 so substitute x + 3 into the expression everywhere you
see an x .

f (x + 3) = 3(x + 3) 2 − 2(x + 3) + 1
Expand the brackets and simplify.

f (x + 3) = 3(x 2 + 6x + 9) − 2(x + 3) + 1
= 3x 2 + 18x + 27 − 2x − 6 + 1
= 3x 2 + 16x + 22

f x + 3 = 3 x 2 + 16 x + 22
( )

A second function is defined g : x ↦ 3x – 4 .

c) Find the value of x for which g : x ↦ − 16 .
Form an equation by setting the function equal to -16.

3x − 4 = − 16

Solve the equation by first adding 4 to both sides, then dividing by 3.

3x − 4 = − 16
3x = − 12
12
x= −
3

x = −4
Domain & range
What is the domain of a function?
The domain of a function is the set of values that are allowed to be the ‘input’
A function is only fully defined once its domain has been stated
If a domain is not stated then it is assumed that the domain is the largest set of
possible values

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 e.g. the largest set of possible values for the function f (x ) = x would be
x ≥0 Your notes
Restrictions on a domain can turn many-one functions into one-one functions

What is the range of a function?

The range of a function is the set of values of all possible ‘outputs’
The type of values in the range depend on the domain

How do I find a range from a given domain?

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 The domain of a function is the set of values that are used as inputs
The range of a function is the set of values that are given as outputs Your notes
Finding the range of a function involves determining all possible output values from a
given domain
This may need to be done by calculating each output value individually by applying
the function to each input value
Or by considering the shape or pattern of the function
To graph a function we use the inputs as the x-coordinates and the outputs as the y-
coordinates

f (2) = 5 corresponds to the coordinates (2, 5)

Graphing the function can help you visualise the range

For example the range of the function f (x ) = x 2 for a domain of all real values of
x will be f (x ) ≥ 0 as the y-coordinates on the graph are all greater than or equal
to zero

Worked Example
The many-one function, f (x ) , is given by

f (x ) = (x − 3) 2
for all values of x .

a) State the range of f (x ) .

The 'output' from the function f is a squared value and so will be positive, or zero.

fx≥0
( )

b) The domain of f (x ) is changed to x > 5 . Write down the changed range of f (x ) .

As x > 5 , f (x ) > (5 − 3) 2

∴ f x >4( )

The modulus function

What is the modulus function?
The modulus function makes any 'input' positive
This is sometimes called the absolute value (of the input)

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 The modulus function is indicated by a pair of vertical lines being written around the
input
Your notes
Similar to how brackets are used

e.g. |7 | = 7, | − 7 | = 7
What is the relationship between a function and its
modulus?
For an 'output' such that f (x ) ≥ 0 , then | f (x ) | = f (x )

Both the function and its modulus are positive

For an 'output' such that f (x ) < 0 , then | f (x ) | = − f (x )

The function value is negative, but its modulus is positive

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 Inverse Functions
Your notes

Inverse functions
What is an inverse function?
An inverse function does the exact opposite of the function it came from
For example, if the function “doubles the number and adds 1” then its inverse is
“subtract 1 and halve the result”
It is the inverse operations in the reverse order

How do I write inverse functions?

An inverse function f-1 can be written as f −1 (x ) = … or f −1 : x ↦…
For example, if f (x ) = 2x + 1 its inverse can be written as

(x – 1) (x – 1)
f −1 (x ) = or f −1: x ↦
2 2

How do I find an inverse function?

The easiest way to find an inverse function is to 'cheat' and swap the x and y variables

Note that this is a useful method but you MUST remember not to do this in any other
circumstances in maths

STEP 1 Write the function in the form y = … e.g. y = 2x + 1

STEP 2 Swap the x 's and y 's to get x = … e.g. x = 2y + 1

STEP 3 Rearrange the expression to make y the subject again

x − 1 = 2y
x−1 x−1
=y → y =
2 2
STEP 4 Rewrite using the correct notation for an inverse function
either as f-1(x) = … or f-1 : x ↦ …

y should not exist in the final answer

x−1
e.g. f −1 (x ) =
2

How does a function relate to its inverse?

If f (3) = 10 then the input of 3 gives an output of 10

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 The inverse function undoes f(x)
An input of 10 into the inverse function gives an output of 3 Your notes
If f (3) = 10 then f −1 ( 10) = 3
ff−1 (x ) = f −1 f (x ) = x
If you apply a function to x, then immediately apply its inverse function, you get x
Whatever happened to x gets undone
f and f-1 cancel each other out when applied together

If f (x ) = 2x and you want to solve f −1 (x ) = 5

Finding the inverse function f −1 (x ) in this case is tricky (impossible if you haven't
studied logarithms)

instead, take f of both sides and use that ff−1 cancel each other out:
ff−1 (x ) = f (5)
x = f (5)
x = 25 = 32

What condition is needed for an inverse function to

exist?
For the inverse function to exist, f −1 (x ) , the original function f (x ) must be one-to-
one

Substituting 1 input into f must give 1 output only

Substituting this 1 output into f −1 must give back the original input only

At no point are more values allowed to be created!

Worked Example
Find the inverse of the function f (x ) = 5 − 3x .

Write the function in the form y = 5 − 3x and then swap the x and y .

y = 5 − 3x
x = 5 − 3y
Rearrange the expression to make y the subject again.

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 x = 5 − 3y
x + 3y = 5 Your notes
3y = 5 − x
5−x
y=
3
Rewrite using the correct notation for an inverse function.

f −1 x = 5 −3 x
( )

Domain & range of inverse functions

How do I find the domain and range of inverse
functions?

The range of a function will be the domain of its inverse function

The domain of a function will be the range of its inverse function

Worked Example
3
A function is defined as f (x) = 3x − 2 , x > .
2
Write down the domain and range of f −1 (x) .

The domain of an inverse function is the range of the function.

The range of f (x ) is

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 f >0
∴ The domain of f −1 x is x > 0
( )
Your notes

The range of an inverse function is the domain of the function.

∴ The range of f −1 x is f −1 > 32

( )

Graphs of inverse functions

How are the graphs of a function and its inverse
related?
The graph of an inverse function, y = f −1 (x ) , is a reflection of the graph of the
function, y = f (x ) , in the line y = x

Key features of the graph of y = f (x ) will be reflected, such as

x and y axes intercepts

turning points
asymptotes

How do I sketch the graph of an inverse function?

STEP 1

Sketch the line y = x , and if need be, the graph of y = f (x )

STEP 2

Reflect the graph of y = f (x ) in the line y = x

Remember it is a sketch, but the graphs together should look like reflections

Consider points where the reflected graph will intersect the x and y axes

e.g. The point (4, 0) will be reflected to the point (0, 4)

Consider any asymptotes on the graph of y = f (x ) - these will also be need

reflecting

e.g. The asymptote (line) x = − 2 will be reflected to the line y = − 2

Consider any restrictions on the domain and range of f (x )

e.g. If the domain is x > 0 only sketch the graph for positive values of x

STEP 3

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 Label key points on the sketch of y = f −1 (x ) and state the equations of any
asymptotes
Your notes
This process works the other way round - the graph of y = f (x ) can be sketched from
the graph of y = f −1 (x )

Examiner Tips and Tricks

If not given, sketch the graphs of y = f (x ) and y = x to help sketch the graph
of the inverse, y = f −1 (x )
If the graph of y = f (x ) is given you do not need to know the expression for
f (x ) to sketch y = f −1 (x )
Just reflect whatever is given in the line y = x

Worked Example
4
The diagram below shows the graph of y = f (x ) , where f (x ) = 4 − , x >0.
x

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 Your notes

a)On a copy of the diagram, sketch the graph of y = f −1 (x ) . Label the point where
the graph crosses the y -axis and write down the equation of the asymptote.

The graph of an inverse function is the reflection of the graph of that function in the
line y = x .

Draw the line y = x to help sketch the inverse function.

The x -axis intercept (1, 0) becomes the y -axis intercept, (0, 1) .

The (horizontal) asymptote y = 4 will. become the (vertical) asymptote x = 4 .

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 Your notes

b) Use your sketch, or otherwise, to write down the value of x such that
f (x ) = f −1 (x ) .
This will be the point at which the two graphs meet.

The point will be on the line y = x so there is no need to work out f −1 (x ) .

By sketching the graph in part (a) this point (with coordinates (2, 2) ) should have
already been considered. Only the x value is required.

x =2
The x value could also be found by solving f (x ) = x .

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 Composite Functions
Your notes

Composite functions
What is a composite function?
A composite function is where one function is applied after another function

The ‘output’ of one function will be the ‘input’ of the next one
Sometimes called function-of-a-function
A composite function can be denoted

fg(x )
f (g(x ))
All of these mean “f of g(x ) ”

How do I work with composite functions?

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 Your notes

Recognise the notation

fg x
( ) means “f of g of x”

The order matters

First apply g to x to get g(x )

Then apply f to g(x ) to get f (g(x ))

Always start with the function closest to the variable

fg(x ) is not usually equal to gf(x )

Special cases
fg(x ) and gf(x ) are generally different but can sometimes be the same
ff(x ) is written as f 2 (x )
Note that trig functions are exceptions to this rule

e.g. sin2 (x ) means (sin(x ) ) 2 not sin(sin(x ) )

For inverse functions, ff−1 (x ) = f −1 f (x ) = x

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 Your notes
Worked Example
Two functions, f (x ) and g(x ) are

f (x ) = x 2 + 3x − 2
g(x ) = x + 3
a) Find f (3) and g(3) .

f (3) = (3) 2 + 3(3) − 2

=9+9−2
= 16

g(3) = 3 + 3
f 3 = 16 , g 3 = 6
( ) ( )

b) Find, in terms of x , fg(x ) .

g is the first function to be applied ...

∴ fg(x ) = f ⎡⎢⎣ x + 3 ⎤⎥⎦
= (x + 3) 2 + 3(x + 3) − 2
= x 2 + 6x + 9 + 3x + 9 − 2

fg x = x 2 + 9 x + 16
( )

Domain & range of composite functions

How do I find the domain and range of composite
functions?
Use logic to determine the domain and range of a composite function

For fg(x ) the first function to be applied will be g

So, at best, the domain of fg(x ) will be the same as the domain of g(x )

However, for this to be the case, the range of g(x ) must be contained within the domain
of f (x )

If this is not the case, then restrictions on the domain of fg(x ) will be required

Similarly, at best, the range of fg(x ) will be the same as the range of f (x )

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 But if the domain of f (x ) has been affected, the range of fg(x ) will also be
affected
Your notes

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Domain and range are important in composite funcitons like fg(x )

the ‘output’ (range) of g must be in the domain of f(x), so fg(x ) could exist,
but gf(x ) may not (or not for some values of x )

Worked Example
Two functions, f (x ) and g(x ) are defined as follows

1
f (x) = , 0 <x <1
x
g(x ) = x 2, x > 1
a) Write down the range of f (x ) and the range of g(x ) .

1
As the domain of f (x ) is 0 < x < 1 , will always be greater than 1,
x
The range of f x is f > 1
( )

The square of any value will be positive or zero, but here, x = 0 is not included in the
domain for g(x ) .

The range of g x is g > 1

( )

b) Use your answers to (a) to help explain why fg(x ) does not exist.

g is the first function to be applied The range of g would need to be contained

within the domain of f But the range of g is g > 1 which is outside the domain of f
which is 0 < x < 1 ∴ fg x does not exist
( )

c) Find the range of gf(x ) ,

f is the first function. The range of f is f > 1 . This is the same as the domain of
g (x > 1) .
The range of gf is gf > 1

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