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PreCalculus Fall 2012 Lesson 018 - Inverse Functions

This lesson plan discusses finding the inverse of a function. It defines an inverse relation as swapping the independent and dependent variables of a relation, and defines an inverse function as an inverse relation that is also a function. The lesson shows students how to find the inverse of a function by interchanging x- and y-coordinates, and uses graphing and function composition to verify if a candidate inverse is correct. Students are given examples of determining if a function has an inverse function based on the horizontal line test.

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Eel Demla
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144 views4 pages

PreCalculus Fall 2012 Lesson 018 - Inverse Functions

This lesson plan discusses finding the inverse of a function. It defines an inverse relation as swapping the independent and dependent variables of a relation, and defines an inverse function as an inverse relation that is also a function. The lesson shows students how to find the inverse of a function by interchanging x- and y-coordinates, and uses graphing and function composition to verify if a candidate inverse is correct. Students are given examples of determining if a function has an inverse function based on the horizontal line test.

Uploaded by

Eel Demla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson Plan #018


Class: PreCalculus Date: Tuesday October 16th, 2012

Topic: Inverse functions Aim: How do we find the inverse of a function?

Objectives:
1) Students will be able to find the inverse of a function.
2) Students will be able to evaluate limits using direct substitution

HW# 018: Page 114 #’s 10, 18, 28, 33, 48, 63, 68, 74

Do Now:
If a function is represented using ordered pairs, if you interchange the first and second
coordinates of each ordered pair (in effect interchanging the x and y coordinates), and if this set
of ordered pairs is a function, then you have the inverse function of the original function.

If f ( x)  {(1,5), ( 2,6), (3,7), ( 4,8)} , find the inverse function denoted f 1


( x)

Suppose you have a function y  8 x , how can you find the inverse function?

PROCEDURE:
Assignment #1:
Write the Aim and Do4 x Now
7
Find the inverse
Get students x) 
of f (working! .
Take attendance 2
Go over the HW
Collect HW
Go over the Do Now

1 1
Verify that the compositions f ( f ( x))  x and f ( f ( x))  x

A function and its inverse function can be described as the "DO" and the "UNDO" functions.  A function takes a
starting value, performs some operation on this value, and creates an output answer.  The inverse function takes the
output answer, performs some operation on it, and arrives back at the original function's starting value.

This "DO" and "UNDO" process can be stated as a composition of functions.  If functions f and g are inverse
functions,  .  A function composed with its inverse function yields the original
starting value.  Think of them as "undoing" one another and leaving you right where you started.

So how do we find the inverse of a function?

Basically speaking, the process of finding an inverse is simply the swapping of the x and y coordinates.  This newly
formed inverse will be a relation, but may not necessarily be a function. 
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Consider this subtle difference in terminology:
Definition:  INVERSE OF A FUNCTION:  The relation formed when the independent variable is exchanged with
the dependent variable in a given relation.  (This inverse may NOT be a function.)

Definition:  INVERSE FUNCTION:  If the above mentioned inverse of a function is itself a function, it is then called
an inverse function.

Assignment #2:
Given function f, find the inverse relation.  Is the inverse relation also a function?

Definition:  A function is a one-to-one function if and only if each second element


corresponds to one and only one first element. (each x and y value is used only once)

Use the horizontal line test to determine if a function is a one-to-one function.


If ANY horizontal line intersects your original function in ONLY ONE location,
your function will be a one-to-one function and its inverse will also be a function.

The function y = 3x + 2, shown at the right, IS a one-to-one function and its inverse
will also be a function.

(Remember that the vertical line test is used to show that a relation is a function.)

Assignment #3:
Determine whether each function has an inverse function.

A) B)

C) D)
3

Assignment #4:
Find the domain and range of f ( x)  2x  3

Find the inverse of f ( x)  2x  3

1
What is the domain and range of f ( x) ?

1
Use your graphing calculator to sketch f (x ) and f ( x)

Graphically, what symmetry exists between f (x ) and


1
f ( x)

Assignment #5:
Explore symmetry of a function and its inverse:
http://www.siue.edu/~lhorner/GeoGebra/InverseFunctionsCreate.shtml
http://meiresources.org/Geogebra/inverse.html
Assignment #6:
A quick way to determine if your algebraic inverse answer is correct is to:
a.)  enter your starting function in Y1.
b.)  enter your algebraic inverse answer in Y2.
c.)  enter Y1(Y2) in Y3. (composition of functions)
d.)  GRAPH
e.)  if Y3 produces the graph of the identity function, y = x, your algebraic inverse answer
is correct.

Assignment #7:
You can also try using the graphing calculator’s DrawInv command that will DRAW a function's inverse.  To use this
feature, place the original starting function into Y1.  Press  2nd PRGM (DRAW) #8 DrawInv.  The command will
appear on the home screen waiting for a parameter.  Enter the location of the function to be investigated, Y1.   The
graph of the inverse will appear.

On Your Own:
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