📚 Exponential & Inverse Functions
Brief Overview
This note covers Exponential Functions and Inverses and was created from an uploaded
audio. It covers the definition of e, graph transformations, inverse functions, one-to-one
test, and reflection across y=x.
Key Points
e’s derivative equals itself
Transformations: reflection, scaling, shifting
One-to-one via horizontal line test
Inverse graphs reflect across y = x
🎯 The Number e and Exponential Functions
Understanding e
The number e is a special mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.71. Unlike
other bases like 2 or 10, e has the unique property that the slope of the function e at any
x
point is exactly equal to the function value at that point.
Key Property: For f (x) = e , the derivative f (x) = e , meaning the slope equals the
x ′ x
function value.
Graph Transformations of Exponential Functions
When transforming exponential functions, we apply transformations in a specific order:
1. Reflection: e reflects e about the y-axis
−x x
2. Vertical stretch/compression: ae scales the graph vertically−x
3. Vertical shift: ae + k moves the graph up or down
−x
Example: For f (x) = 1
2
e
−x
− 1
Start with ex
Reflect: e−x
Compress vertically by 1/2: 1
2
e
−x
Shift down 1 unit: 1
2
e
−x
− 1
The y-intercept becomes − , and the x-intercept occurs where
1
2
1
2
e
−x
− 1 = 0 .
🔁 Inverse Functions
Why We Need Inverse Functions
Inverse functions allow us to "reverse" the action of a function. If a function tells us
distance given time, its inverse tells us time given distance.
Properties of Functions with Inverses
For a function to have an inverse, it must be one-to-one (injective):
One-to-one (Injective): Each output corresponds to exactly one input. If f (a) = f (b),
then a = b .
Horizontal Line Test: A function is one-to-one if every horizontal line intersects its graph
at most once.
Test Type Purpose Method
Vertical Line Test Check if graph represents a Every vertical line
function intersects at most once
Horizontal Line Test Check if function has an Every horizontal line
inverse intersects at most once
Finding Inverse Functions
Steps to find an inverse:
1. Write y = f (x)
2. Solve for x in terms of y
3. Swap x and y to get y = f −1
(x)
Example: Find the inverse of f (x) = 2x − 8
Start: y = 2x − 8
Solve: y + 8 = 2x, so x = y+8
2
Swap: f −1
(x) =
x+8
2
Cancellation Equations
For inverse functions f and f : −1
f (f
−1
for all x in the domain of f
(x)) = x
−1
(f (x)) = x for all x in the domain of f
−1
f
Example: Verify that f (x) = x 3
+ 2 and f −1
(x) =
3
x − 2
are inverses
f (f
−1
(x)) = (
3
x − 2)
3
+ 2 = (x − 2) + 2 = x ✓
✓
3
−1 3 3 3
f (f (x)) = (x + 2) − 2 = x = x
Graphing Inverse Functions
The graph of an inverse function is the reflection of the original function across the line
y = x . If (a, b) is on the graph of f , then (b, a) is on the graph of f . −1