SHS

General
Mathematics
Quarter 1 – Module13:
Inverse of One-to-One Functions
General Mathematics – SHS
Quarter 1 – Week 4, Module 13: Inverse of One-to-one Function

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Maricris B. Ricafrente

Editor: Desiree R. Euste
Reviewers: Sarah Christine P. Godoy
Simeon D. Brillantes
Illustrator: Maricris B. Ricafrente
Layout Artist: Jhomar B. Jaravata
Cover Art: Jed Adra

ii
 INVERSE OF ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS

Introduction

. In this module, you will learn how to find the inverse of one-to-one
functions. The functions discussed here are in the form of ordered pairs, table
and equation.

Objectives
At the end of this module, the learner is able to determine the inverse of a
one-to-one function (M11GM-Id-2).

Vocabulary List

The following important terms will be used in this module. They are
defined as follows:

• One-to-One Function is a function such that he same y-value is never paired

with two different x-values.

• Inverse of a Function is the function obtained by interchanging the elements

of the ordered pairs of the original function. A function has an inverse function
if and only if it is one-to-one.

1
 Pre-Test

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet.
1. Which of the following is the inverse of {(-5, 2), (6, - 3)}?
a. {( - 5, 2), (-6, 3)} c. {(5, 2), (6, 3)}
b. {(5, -2), (-3, 6)} d. {(2, - 5), (-3, 6)}

2. What is f-1(x) of f(x) = 2x + 3?

2+ 𝑥 𝑥−3 3𝑥 3𝑥
a. 𝑓 −1 = 3
b. 𝑓 −1 = 2
c. 𝑓 −1 = 2
d. 𝑓 −1 = 2

3. The statement “A function has an inverse function if and only if it is one – to-one” is
a. sometimes true c. always true
b. never true d. false

4. Which among the following functions has an inverse?

a. f(x) = 2x3 – 5 c. f(x) = 3x – 8
b. f(x) = x + 1 d. all of these
𝑥+1
5. Find the inverse of f(x) = .
𝑥−2
𝑥−2 𝑥−1 𝑥+1 2𝑥+1
a. 𝑓 −1 = 𝑥+1
b. 𝑓−1
= 𝑥+2
c. 𝑓 −1 = 3
d. 𝑓 −1 = 𝑥−1

Learning Activities

Let f be a one-to-one function with domain A and range B. Then the inverse of f
denoted f-1, is a function with domain B and range A denoted by f - 1(y) = x if and only if f(x)
= y for any y in B.

Illustration:

Example 1. Let A = {(1, 2),(2, 3), (3, 4), (4,5)}. The inverse of A denoted by A-1 can be
obtained by interchanging the values of x and y, that is

A-1 = {(2,1), (3, 2), (4, 5), (5,4)}

Example 2. Let B = {(-2, -4), (-1, -2), (0,0), (1, 2), (2, 4)}, the inverse of B is
B-1 = {(-4, -2), (-2, -1), (0,0), (2,1), (4, 2)}

Example 3. Given a table of values, the inverse can be determined by interchanging the
values of x and y
Let y = x + 1 be illustrated in the table

X -2 -1 0 1 2
y -1 0 1 2 3

2
 The inverse of y = x + 1 is

X -1 0 1 2 3
y -2 -1 0 1 2

A function has an inverse if and only if it is one-to-one.

Given an equation, the inverse can be determined by following these 3 steps.

1. write the function in the form y = f(x);
2. interchange the x and y variables;
3. solve for y in terms of x.

Example 4. Find the inverse of f(x) = 3x+1

Solution.
a. The equation of the function is y = 3x + 1.
b. Interchange the x and y variables: x = 3y + 1
c. Solve for y in terms of x:

𝑥−1
Therefore, the inverse of f(x) = 3x + 1 is 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 3
.

Example 5. Find the inverse of f(x) = x2 + 4x – 2.

Solution:
a. the equation of the function is y = x2 + 4x – 2
b. interchange x and y variables x = y2 + 4y – 2
c. solve for y in terms of x

The equation y = 𝑦 = ±√𝑥 + 6 − 2 does not represent a function because there are some x-
values that correspond to two different y-values (e.g. if x = 3, y can be 1 or – 5.) Therefore,
the function f(x) = x2 + 4x – 2 has NO INVERSE FUNCTION.

𝑥−1.
Example 5. Find the inverse of f(x) = 𝑥+1
.

Solution:
𝑥−1.
a. the equation of the function is y== .
𝑥+1
𝑦−1.
b. interchange x and y variables x== 𝑦+1

3
 c. Solve for y in terms of x

𝑦 − 1.
𝑥=
𝑦+1
𝑥(𝑦 + 1) = 𝑦 − 1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 (𝑦 + 1) 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠)
𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 = 𝑦 − 1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)
𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 = −𝑥 − 1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠)
𝑦(𝑥 − 1) = −𝑥 − 1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔)
−𝑥 − 1
𝑦= (𝑏𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 (𝑥 − 1)𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠)
𝑥−1
𝑥−1. −𝑥−1
Therefore, the inverse of f(x) = 𝑥+1
is 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝑥−1
.

Remember the property of an inverse of one-to-one function.

Property of an Inverse of One-to-One Function

Given a one-to-one function 𝑓(𝑥) and its inverse 𝑓 −1 (𝑥). Then, the following are true.
(a) The inverse of 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) is 𝑓(𝑥).
(b) 𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = 𝑥 for all 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓 −1 .
−1
(c) 𝑓 (𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥 for all 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓.

Verifying inverse of one-to-one function if it is exists.

−𝑥 − 1
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) =
𝑥−1
(a) The inverse of 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) is 𝑓(𝑥).
−𝑥−1
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝑥−1
−𝑥−1
𝑦= 𝑥−1
(𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓(𝑥))
−𝑦 − 1
𝑥= (𝑏𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑥 𝑡𝑜 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑥)
𝑦−1

𝑥(𝑦 − 1) = −𝑦 − 1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 (𝑦 − 1)𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠)

𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 = −𝑦 − 1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)

𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠)

𝑦(𝑥 + 1) = 𝑥 − 1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔)

𝑥−1
𝑦= (𝑏𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 (𝑥 + 1)𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 .
𝑥+1
Therefore, 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) is 𝑓(𝑥).

(b) 𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = 𝑥 for all 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓 −1.

𝑥−1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+1

4
 −𝑥−1
( )−1 −𝑥−1
𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = 𝑥−1
−𝑥−1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 ( 𝑥−1 ) 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 𝑖𝑛 𝑓(𝑥).
( )+1
𝑥−1

𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) =
−𝑥−1−1(𝑥−1)
( )
𝑥−1
−𝑥−1+1(𝑥−1) (𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝐶𝐷 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟)
( )
𝑥−1

−𝑥 − 1 − 𝑥 + 1
( 𝑥−1 )
𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = (𝑏𝑦 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝐶𝐷 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟)
−𝑥 − 1 + 𝑥 − 1
( 𝑥−1 )

−2𝑥
( )
𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥))
= −1
𝑥 (𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟)
−2
(𝑥 − 1)

−2𝑥 𝑥−1
𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = ( )( ) (by multiplying the reciprocal of denominator and numerator)
𝑥−1 −2

𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = 𝑥 (𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 )

(c) 𝑓 −1 (𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥 for all 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓.

−𝑥 − 1
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) =
𝑥−1
𝑥−1
−( )−1 𝑥−1
= 𝑥+1
−1 (𝑓(𝑥)) −1
𝑓
𝑥−1
(𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 ( ) 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 𝑖𝑛 𝑓 (𝑥) . )
( )−1 𝑥 + 1
𝑥+1
−𝑥 + 1 − 1(𝑥 + 1)
𝑓 −1 (𝑓(𝑥))
= 𝑥+1 (𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝐶𝐷 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟)
𝑥 − 1 − 1(𝑥 + 1)
𝑥+1
−𝑥+1−𝑥−1
−1 (𝑓(𝑥)) 𝑥+1
𝑓 = 𝑥−1−𝑥−1 (by multiplying LCD in the numerator and denominator)
𝑥+1

−2𝑥

𝑓 −1 (𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥+1
−2 (by simplifying fraction in the numerator and denominator)
𝑥+1

−2𝑥
𝑓 −1 (𝑓(𝑥)) = −2
(by simplifying fractions)

𝑓 −1 (𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥
−𝒙−𝟏
The 𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙) = 𝒙−𝟏
satisfies the (a) the inverse of 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) is 𝑓(𝑥), (b) 𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = 𝑥
−1
for all 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓 and (c) 𝑓 −1 (𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥 for all 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓, therefore it is the
𝑥−1
inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) = .
𝑥+1

Notes:
The function has its inverse: The 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑏 , where a≠0 and n is an odd whole number.
𝑎𝑥+𝑏
The 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑥+𝑑 , where a≠0, c≠0 and a, b, c and d are constants.

5
 Let’s check your understanding!
Practice Task 1

Interchanging My Domain and Range

Direction: Find the inverse of the given ordered pairs. If it is not a one-to-one function, write
NO INVERSE.
1. E = {(2, 4), (3, 6),(4, 8), (5, 10)}
2. Q = {(0,1), (1, 4), (2, 7), (3, 10)}
3. U= {(-2,-8), (0,0), (2,8), (4,64), (6,216)}
4. I={(-2,-7), (-1, 0), (-0,1), (1,2), (-2,9)}
2 1
5. P= {(-1, − 3), (0, − 4), (1,0) }

Practice Task 2

Interchanging X and Y

Direction: Find the inverse of the given function. Write NO INVERSE if it does not exist.

1. y = 3x – 1
2. y = 5x5
3. y = x2 – 2
4. .y = x3 – 1
𝑥+1
5. 𝑦 = 2𝑥−3

Practice Task 3

Do I Exist? Find My Inverse!

Direction: Find the inverse of each function, if it exists.

1. A= {(0,-1), (1,0), (2,3), (3,8), (4,15)}
2. B= {(-2,5), (0,-3), (1,-1)}
3. y = 7x4 – 8
3
4. 𝑦 = √1 − 𝑥
4
5. 𝑦 = 𝑥−1
Well done! You are now ready to take the
next test. Good luck!

6
 Post-Test

Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following is the inverse of {(-2, 4), (-3, 6)}?

a. {( - 4, 2), (-6, 3)} c. {(4, -2), (6, -3)}
b. {(4, -2), (-3, 6)} d. {(2, - 4), (-6, 3)}

2. What is f-1(x) given that f(x) = 3x + 2?

3+ 𝑥 𝑥−2 2𝑥 3𝑥
a. 𝑓 −1 = 2
b. 𝑓 −1 = 3
c. 𝑓 −1 = 3
d. 𝑓 −1 = 2

3. The statement “A function has an inverse function if and only if it is one – to-one” is
a. sometimes true b. always true c. never true d. false

4. Which among the following functions has an inverse?

a. f(x) = – 5+3x b. f(x) = 3x – 8 c. f(x) = x3 + 1 d. all of these
3𝑥−1
5. Find the inverse of f(x) = .
𝑥+2
𝑥+2 𝑥−2 −2𝑥−1 3𝑥+1
a. 𝑓 −1 = b. 𝑓 −1
= c. 𝑓 −1 = d. 𝑓 −1 =
3𝑥−1 3𝑥+1 𝑥−3 𝑥−2

- Your Post-Test ends here. -

Assignment

Find the inverse of each function.

1.f(x) = 2x + 21
3
2. f(x) = √2𝑥 + 5

References:

Castillo, Leticia L. et.al. College Algebra. Mandaluyong City:National Book Store, 2009
General Mathematics Learner’s Material
General Mathematics Teacher’s Guide
Obaña, Generoso G. and Mangaldan, Edna R. Making Connections in Mathematics IV.
Manila: Vicarish Publication and Trading, Inc., 2004

7
 Answer Key

PRE-TEST:
1. D 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. D

PRACTICE TEST 1
1. P-1= {(4,2), (6, 3), (8, 4), (10, 5)}
2. Q-1 = {(1, 0), (4, 1), (7, 2), (10, 3)}
3.U-1 = {(-8,-2), (0,0), (8,2), (64,4), (216, 6)}
4. NO INVERSE
2 1
5. P-1= {(− 3 , −1), (− 4 , 0), (0, 1)}

PRACTICE TEST 2
𝑋+1
1. 𝑦 −1 = 3

5 𝑋
2. 𝑦 −1 = √
5
3. NO INVERSE
3
4. 𝑦 −1 = √𝑥 + 1
3𝑥+1
5. 𝑦 −1 =
2𝑥−1

PRACTICE TEST 3
1. A-1 = {(-1,0), (0,1), (3,2), (8,3), (15,4)}
2. B-1 = {(5,-2), (-3,0), (-1,1)}
3. NO INVERSE
4. 𝑦 −1 = 1 − 𝑥 3
4+𝑥
5. 𝑦 −1 = 𝑥

POST TEST
1. C 2. B 3. B 4. D 5. C

ASSIGNMENT
𝑥−21 𝑥 3 −5
1. 𝑦 −1 = 2. 𝑦 −1 =
2 2

8
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