Precalculus Honors

1.5 Notes – Inverse Functions

If we think of a function as a set of ordered pairs (x, y), then the inverse of that function is the relation
that consists of all the ordered pairs (y, x) – in other words, the same pairs but with the x and y positions
reversed. For example, if a function includes the point (2, 3), then the inverse of that function will
include the point (3, 2).

IDENTIFYING ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS

Not all functions have inverses that are also functions (sometimes the inverses fail to pass the Vertical
Line Test – there will exist a vertical line that passes through the relation more than once). We can
determine whether or not a function’s inverse will also be a function simply by administering the
Horizontal Line Test:

The inverse of a relation is a function if and only if each horizontal line intersects the graph of the original
relation in at most one point.

A function which passes the horizontal line test is considered a “one-to-one” function, since every x
value is paired with one and only one y value, and vice versa.

You Try:

For each of the following functions, state whether or not the function is one-to-one (in other words,
determine if its inverse will be a function). Indicate “yes” or “no” for each:

1
1. f ( x ) = x2 5. f ( x) =
x+4
2. f ( x ) = x3 6. f ( x ) = ln x
3. f ( x) = ex + 3 7. f ( x) = x
4. f ( x ) = sin x 8. f ( x ) = 3x + 2

Compare with a neighbor!

FINDING INVERSES and INHERITED DOMAIN RESTRICTIONS

In order to find the equation for the inverse of a function, we can simply switch the letters for x and y in
the equation and solve the resulting equation for the (new) y value. The process of solving for y
sometimes leads us to perform algebraic steps which might appear to alter the domain and range of the
function however, so it is important to first identify the domain and range of the original function. When
the x and y values are switched, the domain and range will also switch. After solving the resulting
function for the new y, it is important to realize that the domain restrictions “inherited” from the range
of the original function still apply; they should be stated when giving the inverse if they are not apparent
in the new function.
EXAMPLE #1
Consider the function y = x − 2 . The domain and range restrictions are x  2 and y  0 . The
inverse of this function would be x = y − 2 , with restrictions x  0 and y  2 . Solving for the new y-
value, we get y = x 2 + 2 . Notice that in this form, it is no longer obvious in the equation that x must be
greater than or equal to zero, but this restriction still applies, so it MUST be stated when giving the
equation for the inverse:

“If f ( x ) = x − 2 , then the inverse of f is f −1 ( x ) = x 2 + 2 for x  0 ”

We refer to this as a restriction that is “inherited” from the original function.

Support Graphically
The inverse of a function can be identified graphically because it consists of the reflection of the
function across the diagonal line y = x . It usually takes some practice to get comfortable recognizing
or sketching this reflection, so at times it is helpful to spot-check some points. If you connect a point on
the original function to its reflection on the inverse function, that segment will be perpendicular to the
line y = x , and its midpoint will fall on that line. This means that you can locate key points on the
inverse function by starting with a point on the original function and dropping a perpendicular segment
to the line y = x , then extending that segment an equal distance on the other side of the line.

At right is a graph of the functions from our last example:

y = x − 2 and y = x 2 + 2 , with a dotted line marking the
line y = x . Notice that if we reflect the first equation over the
dotted line, we ONLY get the right half of the parabola – this is
why it was important to emphasize the domain restriction
of x  0 for the inverse! Once you found the inverse of a function
algebraically, comparing its graph to the graph of the original
function can be a good way to spot mistakes or forgotten
domain restrictions!

You Try:

For each of the following functions, Find the equation for f −1 ( x ) . Make sure you state any restrictions
on the domain

1
9. f ( x) = 2x + 3 10. f ( x) =
2x + 5
 11. f ( x ) = 5 x + 1 12. f ( x) = 2 x −1

Find the inverse function for each of these functions. You may want to use your calculator to determine
any range restrictions for the original function.:

x 2x
13. f ( x) = 14. f ( x) =
x +1 3x − 4

PROVING INVERSES – THE COMPOSITION TEST

Although we can find an inverse by switching the x and y variables and being careful about domain
restrictions, the real test of whether or not two functions are inverses is done with compositions, and it
reveals the most important quality about inverses: that inverses represent processes that undo one
another.

f ( x ) and g ( x ) are inverses if and only if the following two statements are true:

1. f ( g ( x ) ) = x for all x values in the domain of g ( x ) and

2. g ( f ( x ) ) = x for all x values in the domain of f ( x )

So to test if two functions are inverses, you must construct the composition of the two functions in both
orders, and show that the equation simplifies into x for both.
EXAMPLE #2
x +1
To prove that the functions f ( x ) = 2 x − 1 and g ( x ) = are inverses, we would do the following:
2

 x +1
f ( g ( x)) = 2  g ( f ( x))
( 2 x − 1) + 1
 −1 =
 2  2
2x
= ( x + 1) − 1 =
2
=x =x

Having shown that both compositions are equivalent to x for all values in the domain of the inner
function, we have proven the two functions to be inverses.

You Try:

1 − 3x 1 − 4x
15. Prove that the functions f ( x ) = and g ( x ) = are inverses by using compositions.
4 3

16. Using a composition, can you demonstrate why f ( x ) = x 2 and g ( x ) = x are not inverses?
(Hint: can you find a counterexample where one of the compositions does returns a value other
than the input value?)

17. Using a composition, can you demonstrate why f ( x ) = sin x and g ( x ) = sin −1 x are not
inverses? (see hint in #16)