Inverse Function: Definition and Examples
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ScribdTranslationsInverse Function: Definition and Examples
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsInverse function
Once we have seen the composite function, we will also study the function
inverse. Since we mentioned it earlier in the properties of functions
composed.
On this occasion, we will study the process to obtain the inverse function, as well as seeing
Some of the most important examples of inverse functions and how they are represented.
DEFINITION:
The inverse function of a function f is a new function whose domain
it is the image of the initial function, and its image is the domain of the initial function.
That is, if the function g is the inverse function of f, then it holds that if f(b) = a,
then g(a)=b.
PROPERTIES
The first property matches the one we had seen earlier in the function.
composed. If we perform the inverse function of a composition of functions, we obtain
the composition of their inverses by permuting the order of the composition:
If we take the inverse of the inverse of a function, we obtain the original function.
3. The composition of a function and its inverse gives us the identity function.
4. The inverse function does not always exist.
5. If a function is continuous, its inverse is also continuous and vice versa, if the inverse is
the initial function will also be differentiable.
6. Similarly, if a function is differentiable, its inverse is also differentiable, and vice versa.
GRAPH OF AN INVERSE FUNCTION
The graph of a function f, and that of its inverse g, are symmetric with respect to the bisector of the angle.
first and third quadrant, that is, the line y = x, as we can see in the following
image:
Therefore if M(b,a) It is a point of f, and therefore we know that M´(a,b) will be a point of g.
Then the slopes of the tangents at M and M' are inverses. That is, if the
If the slope of the tangent at M is m, then the slope of the tangent at M' will be
1/m.
Observation: Remember that the inverse function is not the same as the inverse of a
function.
The best known and most important example of inverse functions is the exponential function.
and the logarithmic function. And as we can see, their graphic representations are
symmetrical with respect to the bisector of the first and third quadrants:
STEPS TO CALCULATE THE INVERSE FUNCTION
Para poder calcular la función inversa de una dada debemos seguir unos pasos:
1st. We perform a variable change, swapping y for x and vice versa. Remember that
y=f(x).
2nd. Once we have changed the variables, we need to isolate the variable y in
function of x.
3rd. The final result is the inverse function we have been looking for.
Finally, we are going to do some examples in which we will follow the steps (which are
few and short) to obtain the inverse function in each case:
Example 1: Find the inverse function of f (x)=3 x +5 .
We will follow the aforementioned steps, first of all we will take into account
what f(x)= y therefore, we will start our steps from the following function:
y=3x+5.
1st. We make the change, obtaining: x=3y+5 .
( x−5)
2nd. We clear and in terms of x: 3y=x−5 ; y = .
3
( x−5)
3rd. Therefore, the inverse function is y= .
3
2x+ 3
Example 2: Calculate the following inverse function:f(x)=
x−1
2y+3
1st. We change y for x: x=
y−1
2° We solve for y
:
x +3
3rd. Finally, the inverse function is: f −1 ( x)=
x−2
Example 1: Find the inverse function of f ( x= √
) 3x+5−2 .
We will follow the previously described steps, first of all, we will take into account
what f(x)= y , therefore, we will begin our steps from the following function:
√
y= 3x+5−2
1st. We make the change, obtaining: x= √3y+5−2 .
2nd. We solve for x:
Moving −2 on the other side of equality x +2= √
3y+5
2
Squaring both sides of the equation ( x +2 ) =3y+5 .
Translating +5 on the other side of equality 2
( x +2) −5= 3 years
Developing the square of the binomial x 2+ 4x+4−5=3y
Reducing like terms and dividing both sides of the equation by 3
x2 + 4x−1
=y
3
x 2+ 4x−1
3rd. Therefore, the inverse function is y=
3
NAMES List Number GROUP:
RATING
ADA 5
x 2+ 2
1 Find the inverse function of y= (1 p)
4
4x+3
2 Find the inverse function of y= (1 p)
3x−2
3 Find the inverse function of each of the following functions (2 p each = 4 p)
√
x2
a) y=x 2−4x+3 b) y=
x 2−1