2.

3 INVERSE FUNCTIONS
Definition: Suppose we have function defined by a set of ordered pairs (𝑥, 𝑦) where 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

• This means that f matches each element of X to exactly one y, and f -1 matches those
same elements of Y back to the original values of X.
• f has an inverse function if and only if f is one-to-one function.
The standard notation for inverse f is f-1
• The function 𝑓 −1 with domain R and range D is the inverse of f if
o 𝑓 −1 [𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷
o 𝑓[𝑓 −1 (𝑦)] = 𝑦, 𝑦 ∈ 𝑅

Definition: A function is one-to-one if no two ordered pairs of the function have the same
component from different first components.

f g h
Domain Range Domain Range Domain Range
1 a
a 2 a 2
3 b c 1
b 5
b 2 c 3

f is NOT a function g is a function but h is a one-to-one

NOT one-to-one function

Function f is said to be one-to-one function if 𝑓(𝑥1 ) and 𝑓(𝑥2 ) are equal implies 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 and
vice versa. Horizontal line test also can be used to determine whether a function is one-to-one
function.
1
NOTE: 𝑓 −1 ≠ 𝑓

Procedure finding the inverse function.

1. Write the equation 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
2. Express x as a function of y
3. The resulting equation will be 𝑥 = 𝑓 −1 (𝑦)
4. Interchange x and y in the equation 𝑥 = 𝑓 −1 (𝑦) to obtain 𝑦 = 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)
To check: 𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = 𝑥 and 𝑓 −1 (𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥
The relationship between the domain and range of f and f-1 are:

Domain of 𝑓 −1 = range of f

Range of 𝑓 −1 = domain of f
Example 2.3:

Hence verify your answer.

𝑥+3
2. Find the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥−5

3.
Exercise:

6. Given f ( x ) = 3x − 5 and g ( x ) = 7x + 2 . Find

a) ( f + g)( x ) (sum) b) ( f − g)( x ) (difference)

c) ( f • g)( x ) (product) d) f

  (x) (quotient)
 g

e) (f g)( x ) (composite) f) ( g f )( x )

h) inverse of f ( x ) i) g2 ( x )

7. Given f ( x ) = −2x + 3 and g ( x ) = x − 9 . Find

a) ( f + g)( x ) b) ( f − g)( x )
 −x − 6 −3x + 12
c) ( f • g)( x ) d) f
  (x)
 g

−2x + 3
−2x2 + 21x − 27 x−9
f) (f g)( x ) g) ( g f )( x )

−2x + 21 −2x − 9
h) inverse of f ( x ) i) inverse of g ( x )

x −3
−
2 x+9
j) g ( x)
2 k) (g f −1
) (0)
15
x − 18 −
2

3x + 1 2 − 3x
8. Given f ( x ) = , g(x) = and h ( x ) = x − 4 . Find
x −1 2x − 1
a) ( f + h)( x ) b) ( g + h)( x )

2x 2 − 12x + 6
2x − 1
c) ( f − h)( x ) d) ( g − h)( x )

−2x 2 + 6x − 2
2x − 1
e) ( f h)( x ) f) ( g h)( x )

−3x + 14
2x − 9
g) (f −1
)
g ( 2) h) (g −1
)
h (3)

(f −1
g) ( 2 ) = f g ( 2 )
−1

1
9. Consider the function f ( x ) = 5x − 4 , g ( x ) = 3x + 6 , k ( x ) = − 2x − 5 and
4−x
h(x) = . Find
3 + 2x
a) f −1 ( x ) b) g−1 ( x )

x2 − 6
3
c) f (1) h ( 2) d) ( f + g + h)(3)

2.930
e) (f −1
)
g ( −1) f) (g −1
)
h ( −1)

19
3