Lecture No.

5
In this lecture we will study Inverse Functions

o Meaning of inverse functions

o How to get inverse functions

o Conditions for the existence of inverse functions

o Properties of inverse functions

1) What is the meaning of inverse functions?
By Definition

The inverse function of the function y = f ( x ) is another function written f −1 ( x ) such

that f −1 ( y ) = x .

For Example, consider the function f ( x)

f (4) = 2 , 4 2

9 3

f ( x) = x  f (9) = 3 , 25 5

f (25) = 5 , 1 1

f (1) = 1 f −1 ( x )

f −1 (2) = 4 ,
f −1 (3) = 9 ,
The inverse function of f ( x ) = x is a function such that f −1 (5) = 25 ,
f −1 (1) = 1
2) How to get the inverse functions?

To get the expression of the inverse function f −1 ( x ), we will do two steps:

1) Find x in terms of y from the expression y = f ( x ) to get f −1 ( y )

2) Replace y by x.

For f ( x ) = x

y = x  x = y 2  f −1 ( y ) , y  0

 f −1 ( x ) = x 2 , x  0
Example:
For f ( x ) = 2 x + 3
1
y=2x+3  2 x = y −3
1
 x = ( y − 3 )  f −1 ( y )  f −1 ( x ) = ( x − 3)
2 2

3) Conditions for the existence of inverse functions

For any function to have an inverse it must have for one x one y and for one y one x.
Such function called one to one function. (it must satisfy the horizontal line test)
4) Properties of inverse functions

4-1) Domain and range are reversed

4 − 2 ) f ( x ) and f −1 ( x ) are symmetric about y = x

Example:
Sketch the graphs of f ( x ) and its inverse function using the same coordinate axes if
f ( x) = −1 − x .

Solution:

Domain : ] −  , −1]
y = −1 − x  y2 = − 1 − x Range : [ 0 ,  [

 x = − y 2 − 1  f −1 ( y )
Domain : [ 0 ,  [
−1
 f ( x) = − x − 1 , x  0
2
Range : ] −  , −1]
4 − 3) f (f −1
( x)) = x & f −1 ( f ( x ) ) = x

For f ( x) = −1 − x & f −1 ( x ) = − x 2 − 1 , x  0

 f (f −1
( x ) ) = − 1 − f −1 ( x ) = −1 − ( − x 2 − 1) = x

( )
2
−1
( f ( x )) = − ( f ( x )) =− −1 − x −1 = − ( −1 − x ) − 1 = x
2
 f −1

For f ( x) = e x Domain : R
Range : ] 0 ,  [
 y = ex  x = ln y  f −1 ( y )

 f −1 ( x ) = ln x f ( f −1 ( x ) ) = e ln x = x
Domain : ] 0 ,  [
f −1 ( f ( x ) ) = ln(e x ) = x Range : R
Example:
Sketch the graphs of f ( x ) and its inverse function using the same coordinate axes if
f ( x) = x2 + 1 , x  0.
Solution:

y = x2 + 1 , x  0.  x2 = y − 1

 x =  y −1 but x  0

 f −1 ( y ) = y −1 , y 1  f −1 ( x ) = x −1 , x 1
Example:
1− x
Show whether the function f ( x) = is one to one, hence find its
inverse if it exists. 1+ x

Solution:
(1 + x ) 2−1x − (1 − x ) 2 1 x −1 − x − 1 + x −1
f ( x ) = = =  0
(1 + x ) 2
2 x (1 + x )2 x (1 + x ) 2

Therefore, the function f ( x ) is one – to one. Hence, f −1 ( x ) exists

1− x
y=  y + y x = 1− x  x + y x = 1− y  x (1 + y ) = 1 − y
1+ x

1− y
2
1− y 
2
 x= −1 1− x 
 x=   f ( y)  f −1 ( x ) =  
1+ y 1+ y  1+ x 
4 − 4) If f −1
(a ) = b  (f −1
) ( a ) = 1
f ( b )
Proof:
( f ) (a ) = tan 
−1
= tan( 2 −  )
1 1
= cot  = =
tan  f ( b )

Example:
Consider f ( x ) = x 2 , x  0
f (3) = 9  f −1 (9) = 3

We can find ( f −1 )(9) by two different methods

1 1 1
( f −1 )(9) = = =
f (3) ( 2 x ) x=3 6
1 1 1
Or f ( x) = x 2
 −1
f ( x) = x  ( f −1 )( x ) =  ( f −1 )(9) = =
2 x 2 9 6
Example:
If f ( x ) = 2 x + cos x . Evaluate ( f −1 )(1) .
Solution:

1
f (0) = 1  f −1 (1) = 0 & ( f −1 )(1) =
f (0)

 f ( x ) = 2 − sin x  f (0) = 2

1
 ( f −1 )(1) =
2
Homework:

Exercise 7.1-page 391 No. 3 – 16, 23 – 28, 37 – 42.