Inverse Function

After reading this material we aim to: unctions

1. Define inverse functions;

2. Describe the graph of inverse functions;
3. Find the inverse of a function given a set of ordered pairs;
4. Enumerate the steps in finding the inverse of a function given an equation;
5. Solve the inverse of a function by applying the steps;
6. Verify if the computed inverse of a function is correct by applying the concept of a
composition of a function; and
7. manifest the value of analytical and critical thinking.

Finding the Inverse of functions and graph

The inverse of a function can be derived depending on the kind of given values which can be in the
form of a set of ordered pairs or in the form of an equation.

Definition. Two functions are inverse if, and only if, every domain of one function can be found on
the range of the other and vice versa, and their composition is always equal to x.

Examine the following examples:

1. Find the inverse of the function described by the set of ordered pairs given below.
A = { (-1, 0), (2, 3), (4, 5), (7. 8) }
In order to find the inverse of this set of ordered pairs, simply interchange the x and y
coordinates. Denote its inverse A-1. Therefore, the inverse of the given function is
A-1 = { (0, -1), (3, 2), (5, 4), (8, 7) }
By examining the inverse of the given function, we can see that there is no existing common
x-coordinate. This, we can say that its inverse is also a function.

Observe the graph of the given set of ordered pairs and its inverse.

10
9
8
7
6 Equation A
5
4 Equation A - 1
3
2
1
0
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10
graph of A = {(-1 , 0), (2 , 3), (4 , 5)), (7 , 8) and its inverse

Notice that upon graphing the given function and its inverse, the graph of each exactly the
same image of the other. The only difference is their location. Also, if we are going to use the
Vertical Line Test to both of the graphs, there will only be one point of intersection between the
graph and the vertical line. Therefore, we can say that the given set of ordered pairs and its inverse
are both functions.

2. Find the inverse of the relation described by the set of ordered pairs.
D = {(-1, 0), (1 , ±2), (3 , ±4), (5 , ±6), (7 , ±8), (8 , ±9)}

By interchanging the x and y - coordinates of the given set ordered pairs, we can have the inverse as

D1 = {(0 , -1), (±2 , 1), (±4 , 3), (±6 , 5), (±8 , 7), (±9 , 8)}
If we are going to examine this set of ordered pairs, note that there is no duplication on x-
coordinates. Therefore, we can say that the inverse of the given relation is a function.

The graph of these sets of ordered pairs look like this.

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3 Equation D
2
1 Equation D1
0
-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10

By using the Vertical Line test, notice that the graph of the first set of ordered pairs had two
points of intersection, while the second set of ordered pairs (its inverse) had only one point
of intersection. Hence, we can conclude that the given set of ordered pairs is a relation and
its inverse is a function.

3. Find the inverse of the function described by the equation y = -2x + 3.

In order to find the inverse of this function, first, we substitute x by y and y by x.

The equation will now be

X = -2y + 3

Solve the equation for y in terms of x and simplify.

 X = -2y + 3

X + (-3) = -2y + 3 + (-3)

𝑥−3 −2𝑦 𝑥−3
X – 3 = - 2y → = →y=
−2 −2 −2

Therefore, the inverse of the given equation is

𝑥−3
Y=
−2

We are going to denote the given function as f(x) and its inverse as g (x). in order to check if the
derived inverse is correct, the concept of composition of function will be applied. We are going to
get f o g and g o f, which should both be equal to x. That is f(g(x)) = g(f(x)) = x.
𝑥−3
f(g(x)) = -2x + 3 g(f(x)) =
−2

𝑥−3 −2𝑥+3−3
=-2( ) +3 =
−2 −2

−2𝑥
=x–3+3 =
−2

=x =x

Since f(g(x)) = g(f(x)) = x, we conclude that the given equation and the computed inverse are
really inverse functions.

4. Find the inverse of the function described by the equation f (x) = 𝑥 2 – 5.

In order to find the inverse of this function, we rename f(x) as y and substitute x and y by y
and x. The equation will now be
X = 𝑦2 – 5
Solve the equation for y in terms for x and simplify
𝑦2 = x + 5
(𝑦 2 = 𝑥 + 5)2
Therefore, the inverse of the given equation is
Y = √𝑥 + 5
We are going to denote the inverse of the given function as g(x). again, in order to check if
the derived inverse is correct, the concept of composition of function will be utilized. We are
going to get f o g and g o f, which should both be equal to x. that is f(g(x)) = g(f(x)) = x.

f(g(x)) = 𝑥2 – 5 g(f(x)) = √𝑥 + 5
= (√𝑥 + 5)2 -5 =√𝑥 2 − 5 + 5
=x+5–5 = √𝑥 2
=x =x
Since f(g(x)) = g(f(x)) = x, we can say that the given equation and the computed
inverse are really inverse functions.
2
5. Find the inverse of the function described by the equation y = 𝑥 − 4.
3
In order to find the inverse of this function, first, we substitute x by y and y by x.
The equation will now be,
2
X = 𝑥 − 4.
3

Solve the equation for y in terms of x and simplify

2
𝑦=x+4
3

3 2
( 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 4)
2 3

3
Y= 𝑥+ 6
2

Denoting the given function as f(x) and its inverse g(x), we are going to get f o g and g o f,
which should be both be equal to x in order to determine if the computed inverse is correct. That is,
f(g(x)) = g(f(x)) = x.
2 3
f(g(x) = 𝑥 − 4 g(f(x)) = 𝑥 + 6
3 2

2 3 3 2
= ( 𝑥 + 6) − 4 = ( 𝑥 − 4) + 6
3 2 2 3

=X+4–4 =X-6+6

=X =X

Since f(g(x)) = G(f(x)) = x we can say that the given equation and the computed inverse are
inverse functions.

REMEMBER:

- In finding the inverse of a function or a relation given the set of ordered pairs, simply
interchange the x any coordinates of the given set. That is, (a, b) will become (b, a), if
a and b represents the x and y-coordinates.
- In finding the inverse of the function given an equation, the following steps can be
followed:
a. Replace f(x) by y.
b. Substitute x with y and y with x.
c. Express y as a function of x and simplify.
d. Denote the inverse as g(x). Check the inverse by applying composition of function.
That is, f(g(x)) = g(f(x)) = x

Source: Basic Calculus by GLADYS GLO H. MARCELO