Review: Weve proven 2 functions

are Inverse Functions by composition.

Definition of Inverse: A function g is the inverse of the
function f if f(g(x)) = x and g(f(x)) = x.
For Ex. Weve learned to show inverses of each other.

f ( x) 2 x 1
3

f ( g ( x))

g ( x) 3
3

x 1
1
2

x 1
2

Inverse Relations and

Functions
OBJECTIVES:
Find the inverse of a relation
Find the equation for the inverse.
Draw the graph of a function and its
inverse to verify they are inverses.

How are they found?

The inverse of a function is the set of
ordered pairs obtained by interchanging the
x and y coordinates of each pair in the
original function.
Notation: If f (x) is a given function, then
f -1(x) denotes the inverse of f.

FINDING INVERSES OF LINEAR FUNCTIONS

Aninverserelationmapstheoutputvaluesbacktotheir
originalinputvalues.Thismeansthatthedomainofthe
inverserelationistherangeoftheoriginalrelationand
thattherangeoftheinverserelationisthedomainofthe
originalrelation.
Original relation

x
y

2 DOMAIN
1 0 1
4

RANGE
2 0

Inverse relation

2 4

4 DOMAIN
2 0 2 4
2 RANGE
1 0

Graphically,
inverses will reflect
across y = x .

Domain of f = Range of g
Domain of g = Range of f

y=x
f-1(x)

f(x)

Part I
Relations: Simply swap x and y-values
Given relation, find the inverse relation.
x

-2

-1

-2

-4

-2

-4

-2

-1

You try!
Find the inverse of the following relations.
Then determine if the inverse is a function?
Hint: Definition of function ; for every input, theres
1.{(-2,0); (-1,3); (0,6); (1,9); (2,3)}
Inverse: _____________________________________
Function? Yes / No
2. {(3, 1), (2, -3), (4, 4), (6, 3), (2, 7)}
Inverse: _____________________________________
Function? Yes / No

Finding an inverse
algebraically. Steps to
follow!
1. Set the function = y { if
written in g(x)/h(x)}
2. Swap the x and y variables
3. Solve for the new y
4. Replace the new y with f-1

Solving Algebraically
Ex.1 Find the equation of the inverse of the
relation f(x) = 2x 4.
1.
2.
3.

Set the function = y

y = 2x 4
Swap the x and y variables
x = 2y -4
Solve for the new y
y = (x + 4)/2

Ex. 2 Find the equation for the

Inverse function.
f(x) = -2x + 5
f-1(x) = -(x 5)/2

Your turn!!

Guided Practice
Find the inverse of each.
1. y = -3x + 4
2. f(x) = x2 1

Day 2: Sponge
1. Create a table of values and sketch
y =2x+3
(Let x= -2, -1, 0, 1, 2)
Hint: Think back to Algebra 1 (t-charts, table
of values, some negative, some positive,
etc. )

Recall: Graphically,
inverses will reflect
across y = x .

Domain of f = Range of g
Domain of g = Range of f

y=x
f-1(x)

f(x)

Graphing Inverses!
Observe only: Given the original
function

f(x) = 2x + 3
It is drawn in blue.
blue
If reflected over the identity
line, y = x, the original
function becomes the red
dotted graph ( the inverse).

Graphically,
inverses must reflect
across y = x .

Domain of f = Range of g
Domain of g = Range of f

y=x
f-1(x)

f(x)

Steps to take: Graphing Inverses.

1.Graph the original using a table of random values.
(Ex. -2, 1, 0, 1, 2)
2. Switch x, y coordinates in table of values to derive
your inverse coordinates.
3.Plot the new inverse coordinates & connect the dots
to see the shape of your graph.
4.Check for a reflection across y = x. (Sketch this line
always).

Example 1. (Sponge Problem) Lets now sketch

the inverse.
y =2x+3
1.Original Coordinates ?
2.Inverse Coordinates?
3.Plot points for inverse and draw your line.
4.Check for the reflection.

Example 2 : Sketch a graph of the inverse.

y = x+4

Example 3 : Sketch a graph of

the inverse.

You try!

f ( x) 2 x 1

You try!

1
f ( x) x 5
2

Inverse Functions Group Task Objectives:

Students will understand the concept of inverse functions as an equation, graph
or set of data.
I.OPENING
Instructions: As a group, discuss, create ,and write down a scenario that will
represent a real life function. You will have 5 min to do this.
Random groups will be called on for sharing discuss who will represent the group.
Samples
1. The directions to get to the front office from our classroom will be opposite on the
way back. We reversed the order in which we went.
2. Every holder of a social security card in the United States is assigned a nine-digit
social security number.

II. Each group has a set of data.

a. Graph the original data set, then develop and

graph its inverse relation.
b. Discuss and decide if your inverse is indeed a
function.
c. Clearly state yes/no and provide the reason
behind it.
Hint: Remember the definition of a function.
x
-1
0
1
2
3

f(x)
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1

IV. Confirm and prove

algebraically your two
functions are inverses.
Hint: What do you remember
about composition?

Closing: Choose only 1 question below to

discuss and generate a response. Include a
written response on your coversheet.
a.How could you graph the inverse of a function,
given only the graph?
b.How might you graph an inverse of a function,
given a table of values?
c.How might you figure out the inverse of a
function from an equation?
d.Can you come up with a way to figure out if an
inverse is a function directly from the graph of the
original function?

Task: Derive and prove inverses!

1. Find the inverse relation.
2. Derive your assigned inverse algebraically.
3. Prove the two functions are inverses by
graphing. Sketch both the original function and its
inverse . Hint: Your graphs should reflect across y=x.
4. Prove the two functions are inverses by
composition. Recall: f(g(x))= x and g(f(x)) = x.

Each group share 2 key ideas

about Proving Inverses.