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Notes Topic 2.8 Key Inverse Functions

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Notes Topic 2.8 Key Inverse Functions

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ibrahimchatila95
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Notes: (Topic 2.

8) Inverse Functions Solutions

An inverse relation will “undo” a given relation. Every inverse relation can be found by switching each x and y value.

In some situations, this process is intuitive, but other times this may not be as obvious. In these cases, it is important that
we understand the concept of inverse relations as they will help us tackle a variety of problems.

Let’s look at this numerically (tables), graphically (pictures) and analytically (equations):
Numerical (Tables)
Example 1: Find the inverse relation of the given table.

𝑥 1 3 4 6 𝑥 −1 2 0 2

𝑦 −1 2 0 2 𝑦 1 3 4 6

Note: The original table is a function because each x value has exactly one y value . However, the
inverse is not a function because the x value 2 has two different y values 3 and 6 .

Graphical (Pictures)
Example 2: Sketch the inverse relation of the given graph.

Steps to Sketch an Inverse Graph


(Linear Pieces)
1. List the key points in a table
2. Create a new table for the inverse by switching
the x and y values.
3. Plot the new points for the inverse and sketch
the inverse graph.

Key points table: x −2 −1 2 4


y −1 2 1 3

Inverse table: x −1 2 1 3
y −2 −1 2 4

Example 2B: Is the original relation a function? Is the inverse relation a function?
The original relation is a function because each x value has exactly one y value. The inverse relation is not a function
because each x value between 1 and 2 have two y values.

Graphical Property of Inverses: The graphs of inverses are reflections over the line 𝑦=𝑥 .

Notes: Inverse Functions Topic 2.8 Created by Bryan Passwater


Solutions by Ted Gott [email protected]
Analytical (Equations)

Example 3: Find the inverse for 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 7 (Reminder: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑦)


𝑥+7 𝑥+7 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 7 ⇒ 𝑥 = 3𝑦 − 7 ⇒ 𝑦 = 𝑓 !" (𝑥) =
3 3
1. 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 the 𝑥 and 𝑦 values.

Notation: The inverse function of 𝑓(𝑥) is written as 𝑓 !" (𝑥). 2. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 for 𝑦 (Get 𝑦 by itself!)

3. If original equation was in 𝑓(𝑥) = form,


write the inverse equation as 𝑓 !" (𝑥) =

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝒙′𝐬)

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟏 Switch the 𝑥 and 𝑦 values.

Multiply/Distribute both sides by the denominator of the rational expression to eliminate


𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟐
the fraction.
Move all terms that include the variable 𝑦 to the left side of the equation and move all
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟑
terms that do not include the variable 𝑦 to the right side of the equation.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟒 Factor out an 𝑦 from the terms on the left side of the equation.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟓 Divide both sides by the terms remaining on the left side after 𝑦 was factored out.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟔 Rewrite the equation with proper inverse notation D𝑓 !" (𝑥)E

Example 4: Find the inverse functions for each of the following.


𝑥−2 2𝑥 + 1
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = b) 𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥+3 𝑥−3
𝑦−2 2𝑦 + 1
𝑥= ⇒ 𝑥(𝑦 + 3) = 𝑦 − 2 𝑥= ⇒ 𝑥(𝑦 − 3) = 2𝑦 + 1
𝑦+3 𝑦−3
𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑥 = 𝑦 − 2 𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 1
𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 = −3𝑥 − 2 𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 1
𝑦(𝑥 − 1) = −(3𝑥 + 2) 𝑦(𝑥 − 2) = 3𝑥 + 1
3𝑥 + 2 3𝑥 + 1
𝑦=− 𝑦=
𝑥−1 𝑥−2
!" (𝑥)
3𝑥 + 2 !" (𝑥)
3𝑥 + 1
𝑓 =− 𝑓 =
𝑥−1 𝑥−2

Notes: Inverse Functions Topic 2.8 Created by Bryan Passwater


Solutions by Ted Gott [email protected]
More on Graphing Inverses
We know that to find an inverse, we simply switch the x and y values.

Graphically, this means that a function and its inverse will be reflections over the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 .

If a graph is not made up of simply line segments, sketching the inverse can be challenging. To do this, we use the
fact that a function and its inverse are reflections over the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 to help us sketch the inverse graph.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡 (Nonlinear pieces)


1. Sketch the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 on the graph.
2. Mark any points from the original graph that are already on the line. These points will stay the same!
3. Select a few additional points on the original graph and find their inverse points.

• You can find the inverse points by switching the 𝑥 and 𝑦 values, 𝐎𝐑
• Graphically reflecting each point over the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 by drawing a line perpendicular
from the point to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 and extending it an equal distance on the other side of the line.
4. Sketch the inverse graph by connecting the new points in a similar pattern to the original function.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟓: Sketch the inverse of the functions below.


a) b)

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐨?


If you plug a number into a function, it generally will output a new (different) number. For example, if we plug in
𝑥 = 2 into the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 1, we get 5 .

Now, If we plug that 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 into the inverse function, the answer should be 2 .

This is because an inverse function essentially will “undo” a function. So, if we plug x into a function, and
then plug the output into the inverse function, we should end up with plug x again.

Notes: Inverse Functions Topic 2.8 Created by Bryan Passwater


Solutions by Ted Gott [email protected]
𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Two functions 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are inverses if and only if 𝑓D𝑔(𝑥)E = 𝑥 and 𝑔D𝑓(𝑥)E = 𝑥.

To show that two functions are inverses, we must show that the 𝑓 !" D𝑓(𝑥)E and 𝑓D𝑓 !" (𝑥)E 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐇 equal x .

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟔: Let 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) be the functions below. Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are inverses.
1 3
𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 +
2 2
1 3 1 3
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟏: Find 𝑓D𝑔(𝑥)E = 𝑓 • 𝑥 + ‚ = 2 • 𝑥 + ‚ − 3 = (𝑥 + 3) − 3 = 𝑥
2 2 2 2

1 3 3 3
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟐: Find 𝑔D𝑓(𝑥)E = 𝑔(2𝑥 − 3) = (2𝑥 − 3) + = •𝑥 − ‚ + = 𝑥
2 2 2 2

Note: Sometimes, we must use a restricted domain to ensure two functions are inverses.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟕: Show that ℎ(𝑥) and 𝑘(𝑥) below are inverses where 𝑥 ≥ 10.

ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 # + 10 𝑘(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 10 Domain of 𝑘(𝑥) is 𝑥 ≥ 10


#
ℎD𝑘(𝑥)E = ℎD√𝑥 − 10E = D√𝑥 − 10E + 10 = |𝑥 − 10| + 10 = (𝑥
‰Š − 10)
Š‹ŠŠŒ + 10 = 𝑥
$%"&
𝑘Dℎ(𝑥)E = 𝑘(𝑥 # + 10) = •(𝑥 # + 10) − 10 = •𝑥 # = |𝑥| = 𝑥 since 𝑥 ≥ 10

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟖: Show that 𝑛(𝑥) and 𝑝(𝑥) below are inverses where 𝑥 ≠ 0 and 𝑥 ≠ 4.
6 6
𝑛(𝑥) = Domain: 𝑥 ≠ 4 𝑝(𝑥) = + 4 Domain: 𝑥 ≠ 0
𝑥−4 𝑥
6 6 6 6𝑥
𝑛D𝑝(𝑥)E = 𝑛 • + 4‚ = = = =𝑥
𝑥 ‹ŠŒ ’6 + 4“ − 4 6
‰Š 6
$'& 𝑥 𝑥
6 6 6(𝑥 − 4)
𝑝D𝑛(𝑥)E = 𝑝 • ‚= +4= +4=𝑥−4+4=𝑥
‰Š ‹ŠŒ
𝑥−4 6 6
’ 𝑥 − 4“
$'(

Notes: Inverse Functions Topic 2.8 Created by Bryan Passwater


Solutions by Ted Gott [email protected]

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