Inverse Function

Determine whether a function is

one-to-one, and find the inverse
of a one-to-one function
Definition of the inverse of a
function
Let f be a one to one function with
domain A and range B. Then the
inverse function f
-1
has domain B and
range A and is defined by
f
-1
(y)=x f(x)=y
Domain and Range of Inverse
Function
x
y
f
f
-1
If f is a one to one function
the domain of f
-1
is the range of f
the range of f
-1
is the domain of f
Example 1
Determine whether the following
functions have inverse functions. If
yes, find the domain and range if their
inverses.
1.
2.

2 ) ( + = x x f
2
) ( x x g =
Solution 1
Horizontal line cut only one point, f(x) is
one-to-one function.
) , 0 [
1
=

f
D
) , 2 [ =
f
D
) , 0 [ =
f
R
) , 2 [
1
=

f
R
2 ) ( + = x x f
Solution 2
Horizontal line cut more that one point,
g(x) is not one-to-one function.
Example 2
A function f is defined by
a. Find f
-1
x x f = 3 ) (
x x ff =

) (
1
x x f =

) ( 3
1
2 1
) ( 3 x x f =

2 1
3 ) ( x x f =

Example 2 (continue)
A function f is defined by
b. Determine the domain and the range
of f and f
-1
x x f = 3 ) (
] 3 , ( =
f
D
) , 0 [ =
f
R
) , 0 [
1
=

f
D
] 3 , (
1
=

f
R
Example 2 (continue)
A function f is defined by
c. On the same axes, sketch the graphs
of y=f(x) and y=f
-1
(x). What is the
relationship between the graphs of
y=f(x) and y=f
-1
(x).
x x f = 3 ) (
) (x f
) (
1
x f

x y =
The graph of f
-1
(x)
is the image of f(x)
under a reflection
in y=x
Example 3
A function f is defined by
a. Explain why inverse function exits for
f. Hence, find f
-1
.

3
) 2 ( ) ( = x x f
2
f(x) is one to one function,
therefore function f exist.
Example 3 (continue)
A function f is defined by
b. Determine the domain and the range
of f
-1
3
) 2 ( ) ( = x x f
) , (
1
=

f
D
) , (
1
=

f
R
Example 3 (continue)
A function f is defined by
c. On the same axes, sketch the graphs
of y=f(x) and y=f
-1
(x).
3
) 2 ( ) ( = x x f
2
) (x f
) (
1
x f

Example 4
A function f is defined by
a. Sketch the graph y=g(x)

1
2
) (
2
+
=
x
x g
2
0 = x

2 = y
, x 0 y
, x 0 y
Example 4 (continue)
b. State the domain of g
-1
so that g
-1
exist. Determine the corresponding
range of g.

) , 0 [ =
g
D
] 2 , 0 ( = R
For g
-1
to exist, g must be one to one
Domain of g must be restricted to only
Example 4 (continue)
c. Hence, find g
-1
. Determine the domain
and range of g
-1
.
x x gg =

) (
1
( )
x
x g
=
+

1 ) (
2
2
1
( ) 1
2
) (
2
1
=

x
x g
x
x
x g

=

2
) (
1
] 2 , 0 (
1
=

g
D
) , 0 [
1
=

g
R
Example 4 (continue)
d. Sketch the graph of y=g(x) and
y=g
-1
(x) based on the restricted
domain and range.