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GCE A Level Functions Findinyhvvvvg The Inverse of A Function

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26 views7 pages

GCE A Level Functions Findinyhvvvvg The Inverse of A Function

Ggghvcbn bhvv

Uploaded by

bvitira.k
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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GCE A Level Maths 9709

SMIYL
April 2023

1.2 Functions
In this topic we will learn how to:

• Find the inverse of a one-one function in simple cases


Inverse of a Function

The inverse or anti function reverses the operations of the original


function. For the function f (x) the inverse is denoted by,

f −1 (x)

To find the inverse of a function, make x the subject of the formula


in the original function. The resulting function, is the inverse. The
inverse is a reflection of the original function in the line y = x. As a
result, the domain of the original function is the range of the inverse.
The range of the original function is the domain of the inverse. How-
ever, remember to always write the domain in terms of x and the
range in terms of y.

1
f (x) y=x
f (x) = x2 + 6x + 8

√
f ′ (x) = −3 + x+1

An example of the graphical relationship between a function and its


inverse.

Let’s walk through some examples to understand the process.


2x
1. The function f is defined by f (x) = 3x−1 for x > 13 . Find an expression
−1
for f (x). (9709/13/O/N/20 number 6)
2x
f (x) =
3x − 1

Substitute f (x) with y,


2x
y=
3x − 1

The next step is to make x the subject of the formula. We


will do this in steps. Start by multiplying both sides by the
denominator,
y(3x − 1) = 2x

Expand the bracket,


3xy − y = 2x

Put all terms containing x on one side,

3xy − 2x = y

2
Factor out x,
x(3y − 2) = y

Divide both sides by the term in brackets, 3y − 2,


y
x=
3y − 2

Rewrite the function using the notation for an inverse function,


substituting y with x,
y
x=
3y − 2
x
f −1 (x) =
3x − 2

Therefore, the final answer is,


x
f −1 (x) =
3x − 2

2. The function f is defined by f (x) = x2 − 4x + 7 for x < 1. Find an


expression for f −1 (x) and state the domain of f −1 . (9709/12/F/M/19
number 8)
f (x) = x2 − 4x + 7

Substitute f (x) with y,

y = x2 − 4x + 7

Complete the square,

y = (x − 2)2 + 3

Make x the subject of the formula. Start by subtracting 3 from


both sides,
y − 3 = (x − 2)2

Take the square root of both sides,


p p
± y − 3 = (x − 2)2

Simplify, p
± y−3=x−2

3
Add 2 to both sides, p
x=2± y−3

Determine which sign the inverse should take,


p
x=2− y−3

Note: You can use trial and error to see which sign satisfies the
inverse. A general rule of thumb is that if the original function
has a domain of the form x < k, the inverse takes a negative sign.
If it has a domain of the form x > k, the inverse takes a positive
sign.

Rewrite the function using notation for an inverse function, sub-


stituting y with x, √
f −1 (x) = 2 − x − 3

The domain of the inverse is the range of the original function,


therefore let’s find the range of the original function,

f (x) = x2 − 4x + 7 for x < 1

According to the domain the maximum x-value of the function


is 1. Let’s substitute that into the function to find its minimum
value,
f (1) = 12 − 4(1) + 7
f (1) = 4

It’s minimum value is 4.

Therefore, the range of f (x) is,

y>4

Now that we have the range of f (x) we can determine the domain
of f −1 (x). The domain of f −1 (x) is,

x>4

4
Therefore, the final answer is,
√
f −1 (x) = 2 − x − 3 for x > 4

3. Functions f and g are defined by

f (x) = 4x − 2 for x ∈ R
4
g(x) = for x ∈ R, x ̸= −1.
x+1
Find the values of x for which f −1 (x) = g −1 (x). (9709/12/O/N/20 num-
ber 5)

First let’s find f −1 (x),


f (x) = 4x − 2

Substitute f (x) with y,


y = 4x − 2

Make x the subject of the formula,

y = 4x − 2

Add 2 to both sides,


4x = y + 2

Divide both sides by 4,


y+2
x=
4

Rewrite the function using notation for an inverse function, sub-


stituting y with x,
x+2
f −1 (x) =
4

Now let’s find g −1 (x),


4
g(x) =
x+1

Substitute g(x) with y,


4
y=
x+1

5
Make x the subject of the formula,
4
y=
x+1

Multiply both sides by the denominator, x + 1,

y(x + 1) = 4

Expand the bracket on the left-hand side,

xy + y = 4

Move y to the right-hand side,

xy = 4 − y

Divide both sides by y,


4−y
x=
y
4
x= −1
y

Rewrite the function using notation for an inverse function, sub-


stituting y with x,
4
g −1 (x) = − 1
x

Now let’s solve the question,

f −1 (x) = g −1 (x)
x+2 4
= −1
4 x

Multiply both sides by 4,


 
4
x+2=4 −1
x

Expand the bracket on the right-hand side,


16
x+2= −4
x

6
Group like terms,
16
x+2+4=
x

Simplify
16
x+6=
x

Mutlply through by x,

x2 + 6x = 16

Put all the terms on one side and solve the quadratic using your
preferred method. In this example, we will factorise,

x2 + 6x − 16 = 0

(x + 8)(x − 2) = 0
x = −8asdf x = 2

Therefore, the final answer is,

x = −8asdf x = 2

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