LESSON 9: ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTION IN REAL- LIFE SITUATIONS

Learning Competency: The learner represents real- life situations using one- to- one function.

DEVELOPING SKILLS

DEFINITION
• A one-to-one function is a function in which for each value of y in the rage of 𝑓, there is
exactly one value 𝑥 in the domain of f such that 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

The definition can be easily understood by looking at the mapping diagrams below.

In (a), there are two values in the domain that are both mapped onto 5 in the range. Hence, the
function f is NOT one- to- one. However, in (b), for each output in the range of 𝑔, there is exactly one input
in the domain that gets mapped onto it. Thus, 𝑔 is a one- to- one function.

The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 5 is a one- to- one function because 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 are real numbers such
that 𝑓(𝑥1 ) = 𝑓(𝑥2 ), then
3𝑥1 − 5 = 3𝑥2 − 5
3𝑥1 = 3𝑥2
𝑥1 = 𝑥2

ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS IN REAL-LIFE SITUATIONS

Illustrative Examples:
Certain real- life situations represent one-to- one function. This include the following:

1. Unit conversion from SI measurement to English measurement is an example of a one- to- one
function. Note that, we cannot get two different SI measurements for a given English
measurement. The reverse is also true.

2. The relation pairing a licensed professional teacher to his PRC registration number is also an
example of one- to- one function. Each LET passer is assigned with a unique PRC registration
number for documentation and reference purposes. No two teachers will have the same
registration number.
Module in General Mathematics

3. A subscriber and his Subscriber’s Identity Module also represents one- to- one function. If you
purchase a new SIM card from a telephone company, you are given the assurance that the SIM
Number is unique to your card. In other words, each subscriber uses a unique SIM card number.

4. A person who uses ATM cards to store and withdraw money shows a relation which is an example
of one-to-one function. Note that, each ATM card is assigned with a unique number for security
purposes such as preventing hackers from illegally accessing their users’ account.

22
2
 Activity 9.1 Dial 121 (Functions)
Directions: One-to one functions are almost everywhere but unnoticed. Write other examples of
real- life situations representing one- to-one functions inside the box below.

Module in General Mathematics

23
2
 LESSON 10: INVERSE OF ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTION

Learning Competency: The learner determines the inverse of a one-to-one function (M11GM-Id-
2).

ENTRY CARD Reversing Functions

DEFINITION
• A relation reversing the process performed by any function 𝒇(𝒙) is called inverse of 𝒇(𝒙).
•

This means that the domain of the inverse is the range of the original function and that the range
of the inverse is the domain of the original function.

Illustrative Example:

Original Function Inverse Relation

x 20 30 50 100 x 68 86 122 212
y 68 86 122 212 y 20 30 50 100

DEVELOPING SKILLS

DEFINITION
• If 𝑓 is a one-to-one fuction, then the inverse of 𝒇 denoted by 𝑓 −1 is the function formed by
reversing all the ordered pairs in 𝑓. Thus,
𝑓 −1 = {(𝑦, 𝑥); (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑓}
PROPERTIES
• If the 𝑓 −1 is a one-to-one function; f is also one-to-one.
• Domain of 𝑓 −1 = Range of 𝑓
• Range of 𝑓 −1 = Domain of 𝑓
• Two functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are inverses of each other if
𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑥 for every 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑔 and
𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥 for every 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓.
That is, 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥 or if 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓 −1 (𝑥), then 𝑓(𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = 𝑓 −1 (𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑥.

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

PROCEDURE
• Steps in finding the inverse of a one-to-one function:
Module in General Mathematics

a. write the function in the form 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)

b. interchange the x and y variables
c. solve for y in terms of x
d. replace the new 𝑦 with 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).

24
2
Illustrative Examples:

1. Find the inverse of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 6.

Solution:
a. Write the function in the form 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 6
𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 6
b. Interchange the 𝑥 and 𝑦 variables.

𝑥 = 3𝑦 + 6
c. Solve for y in terms of x.

𝑥 = 3𝑦 + 6
−3𝑦 = −𝑥 + 6
1
𝑦 = 𝑥−2
3

d. Replace the new 𝑦 with 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).

1
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2
3

2. Find the inverse of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3.

Solution:
a. Write the function in the form 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3
b. Interchange the 𝑥 and 𝑦 variables.

𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 3
c. Solve for y in terms of x.

𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 3
−2𝑦 = −𝑥 + 3
1 3
𝑦= 𝑥−
2 2

d. Replace the new 𝑦 with 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).

1 3
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝑥 −
Module in General Mathematics

2 2

25
2
 ACTIVITY 10.1 Finding the Inverse
Directions: Find the inverse of the following functions.

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 − 6 2. ℎ(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 4 3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4 4. 2𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 10

5. 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 12 6. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 1 7. 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥ℎ 8. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2

9. 5𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 10 1 11. 𝑡(𝑥) = 5𝑥 + 7 12. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥

10. 𝑝(𝑥) = 2 𝑥 − 8

ACTIVITY 10.2 Inverse Pairs

Directions: Show that the following pairs of function are inverses of each other.

2−𝑥 2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3 + 𝑥

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 − 3𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) =
3

1 4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2

3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 5 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2 (𝑥 − 5)
Module in General Mathematics

26
2
 LESSON 11: INVERSE FUNCTIONS AND THEIR GRAPHS

Learning Competency: The learner:

a. represents an inverse function through its: (a) table of values, and
(b) graph (M11GM-Id-3);
b. finds the domain and range of an inverse function (M11GM-Id-4);
and
c. graphs inverse functions (M11GM-Ie-1).

DEVELOPING SKILLS

PROCEDURE

• Graphing Inverse Functions

We need to ascertain that the given graph corresponds to a one-to-one function by
applying the horizontal line test. If it passes the test, the corresponding function is one-to-
one. Given the graph of a one-to-one function, the graph of its inverse can be obtained by
reflecting the graph about the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.

Illustrative Example:
5𝑥−1
1. Sketch the graph of the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) = .
2−𝑥
Solution:
The graph of inverse of a function is the reflection of the graph of the original function.
The axis of symmetry is the line 𝑦 = 𝑥. With this, the first thing to do is to graph the original
function.

a. To obtain the domain, we find the x- values that will make the function defined; and we know
that setting the denominator to zero results in making the function undefined. Thus, the
domain is given by (−∞, 2) ∪ (2, ∞). Consequently, the range is given by (−∞,-5) ∪ (-5, ∞).

b. Recall the steps in obtaining the intercepts, and asymptotes from our module in graphing
rational functions. The vertical asymptote of the graph is at 𝑥 = 2 while the horizontal
asymptote is at 𝑦 = −5.

c. Plot two points between and beyond the vertical asymptotes. Use the asymptotes and the
plotted points to draw the graph. From the given values, we plot the original function.
Module in General Mathematics

27
2
 d. The inverse can be graphed by taking the reflection of the graph across 𝑦 = 𝑥. Observe that
the new asymptotes are the old asymptotes with the x and y values interchanged. In fact, the
asymptotes could also be obtained by reflecting the original asymptotes about the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.

e. The domain and range of the inverse of the given function is obtained by interchanging the
domain and range of the original function. Thus,

Domain of 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) (−∞, −5) ∪ (−5, ∞)

Range of 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) (−∞, 2) ∪ (2, ∞)

ACTIVITY 11.1 How Do I Look Like?

Directions: Graph the inverse of the following functions. Determine its domain, range its asymptote.
Use the next page to show your solution.

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 − 6 2. ℎ(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 4 3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4 4. 2𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 10

5. 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 12 6. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 1 7. 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥ℎ 8. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2

Module in General Mathematics

28
2
 Module in General Mathematics

2
29