8/13/26, 7:34 PM Inverse Functions - MathBitsNotebook(A1)
Inverse Functions
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The inverse of a function is the set of ordered pairs
obtained by interchanging the first and second elements
of each pair in the original function.
In plain English, finding an inverse is simply the swapping of the x and y coordinates.
f (x) = {(2,3), (4,5), (-2,6), (1,-5)} (function)
The inverse of f (x) = {(3,2), (5,4), (6,-2), (-5,1)} (function)
Let's look at another example: g (x) = {(4,1), (8,3), (-5,3), (0,1)} (function)
The inverse of g (x) = {(1,4), (3,8), (3,-5), (1,0)} (NOT a function, the x = 3 repeats)
This fact leads to some subtle differences in terminologies:
Definition:Inverse of a Function: The relation formed when the independent variable (x) is exchanged
with the dependent variable (y) in a given relation. (This inverse may NOT be a function.)
Definition: Inverse Function:If the inverse of a function (defined above) is itself also a function, it is
then called an inverse function.
Finding an Inverse:
A function receives an input value, performs some operation on this value, and creates an output
answer. The inverse of the function takes that output answer, performs some operation on it, and
arrives back at the original function's starting input value.
A function and its inverse "undo" one another, leaving you right back where you started.
So how do we find these inverse relationships?
• Method 1 (ordered pairs):
If the function is stated as a set of ordered pairs, we can find the inverse of the function by
simply swapping the ordered pairs (as seen at the top of this page).
If the definition of the function is fairly simple, we may be able to find the inverse of the
function by examining selected ordered pairs and looking for a relationship for the inverse.
Let f (x) = x + 1 Inverse of f (x) It can be seen from this NOTATION:
x y=f (x) x inverse example that the inverse An inverse function is
will be subtracting one denoted by
1 2 2 1 from each of its input
3 4 4 3 values. .
Inverse of f (x) = x + 1,
-2 -1 -1 -2
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0 1 1 0 or
• Method 2 (algebraic):
There is a simple method to find the inverse of a function algebraically.
Process
1. Set the function = y Find the inverse of function f (x) = x + 6.
2. Swap the x and y variables 1. y = x + 6
3. Solve for y. 2. x = y + 6
3. x - 6 = y which is the inverse f -1 (x) = x - 6
• Method 3 (graphing):
The graph of an inverse relation is the reflection of the original graph over the line y = x (called
the Identity Function). It may be necessary to restrict the domain of the starting function to
ensure that the inverse is also a function.
Our starting function is y = 2x + 1.
If we reflect our starting function over the identity
line, y = x, we obtain the red dotted line. The new red
line is our inverse of y = 2x + 1.
For this example, the inverse passes the vertical line
test, making the inverse a function.
Not all graphs produce an inverse which will also be a
function.
Determine graphically if an inverse is also a function:
We know that the Vertical Line Test is used to determine if a graph represents a function.
[If a vertical line drawn anywhere on a graph only intersects the graph in one location, the graph is a function.]
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We can use a horizontal line to determine if a function
will have an inverse which is also a function.
Simply draw a horizontal line anywhere on the original
function. Just like the Vertical Line Test, the horizontal
lines must intersect the graph in only one location.
If there is only one intersection, at any location, the
graph has an inverse which is also a function. If the
original function passes the Horizontal Line Test, its
inverse will pass the Vertical Line Test for functions.
Restrict the domain to insure an inverse function:
If a horizontal line intersects the original graph in more
than one location, it may be possible to restrict the
domain of the original graph to ensure the inverse will
be a function, and pass the Vertical Line Test for
functions.
You can see that the reflection (in red) in the example
at the right does not pass the Vertical Line Test. The
inverse of the function y = x² is not an inverse function.
The inverse relation exists, but it is not a function.
It is possible, however, to restrict the domain of y = x²
to ensure that the inverse of a portion of the graph will
be a function.
To restrict the domain, we want to cut the original function in such a way that what remains will
pass the Horizontal Line Test ensuring the inverse to be a function.
Here are two possible restrictions which ensure that the inverse of y = x² will be a function for a
portion of the graph. Since y = x² is a parabola, cutting the function at the turning point, (0,0),
will work nicely.
Function: y = x² for x > 0 Function: y = x² for x < 0
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inverse
functions
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