Chapter 3 Functions

includes
Inverse Functions e.g. f 1 Composite Functions e.g. fg (we will use
(Section E) fg to explain the following) (Section F)

has a has a

Condition of Existence i.e. Rule that can be found Domain and Condition of Existence i.e. Rule that can be found
f 1 exists if f is a one-one using the 4 steps i.e. Range as Rg  Df through fg( x)  f g( x)  i.e.
function (Section E2) and 1. Let y = f (x) follows: (Section F2) substitute g (x) into f (x).
whether f is one-one or not 2. Make x the subject (Section F3)
Df 1  Rf and
3. Replace x by f 1 ( y )
Rf 1  Df
4. Replace y by x
(Section E5) (Section E4)
can be ascertained using Domain, where the domain of the composite
function fg is equal to the domain of the
Geometrical Relationship between f “first function” g i.e. Dfg  Dg .
and f 1 i.e. the graph of y  f 1 ( x) is (Section F4) and
the reflection of the graph of y  f ( x)
Horizontal Line Test Counter Range
about the line y = x .
(sketch graph and note Examples to (Section F4)
(Section E6).
the phrasing used for show f is NOT This can be used to solve (Range) can be found through
when f is one-one and one-one f ( x)  f 1 ( x) when all the intersection
when it is not) (Section D2) points lie on the line y  x .
(Section D1)
(Section E7 except Example 23).
(WE 38, 40 &
E 39)
The Mapping Method Sketching the Graph of the Composite Function
(suitable to use when the graph of the composite
Dg 
g
 Rg 
f
 Rfg function is reasonably simple)

Rfg is found by sketching the graph of y = f (x) using Rg Rfg is found through sketching the graph of y = fg (x)
as the domain (Section F4). for Dfg (Section F4).
Depictions of Inverse Functions
What we can learn from Diagram IF1?
Diagram IF1
Df Rf Condition of Existence of f 1 :
Recall that many-to-one and one-to-one relationships are functions. If f has a many-to-one
relationship (see Diagram IF1 Supplement), f is a function. However, the “reverse” mapping by
f 1 becomes a one-to-many relationship i.e. f 1 is no longer a function.

Learning Point: f has to be one-one for f 1 to exist.

Domain and Range of f 1 :

Rf 1 Df 1 From the Diagram IF1, we can observe that the range of f is now the domain of f 1 (i.e. “inputs”
for f 1 ) and the domain of f is the range of f 1 (i.e. “outputs” of f 1 ).
Learning Point: Df  Rf and Rf  Df .
1 1

Diagram IF1 Supplement Rule of f 1 :

We can observe the following from the diagram.
Df Rf f ( x)  y (x is mapped by f to y )
1
f ( y )  x (y is mapped by f 1 to x)
f
Learning Point:
We let y  f ( x) and make x the subject and in terms of y i.e. x = (an expression in terms of y).
From f 1 ( y )  x , x  (an expression in terms of y )  f 1 ( y ) . Replacing y by x in
f 1 ( y )  (an expression in terms of y ) gives f 1 ( x) .

This is the idea behind the steps we apply to find f 1 ( x) .

Depictions of Composite Functions (let’s consider fg) What can we learn from Diagram CF1?
Condition of Existence: If Rg is not equal or a subset
Diagram CF1 Df Rf
of Df i.e. Rg is “larger” than Df , then there will be
elements in Rg that cannot be mapped by the second
Dg Rg Rfg
function f. The second mapping “fails”.
Learning Point: For fg to exist, Rg  Df .
g f Range: The Mapping Method
x g( x) fg( x)
Rg is mapped by the second function f to Rfg (note it
is NOT Df that is mapped by f; rather it is what
“comes out” from the first function g i.e. Rg that is
mapped by f).

Dg  Rg  Rfg

g f Learning Point: Rfg can be found by sketching the
graph of y  f ( x) but using Rg as the domain. The
range found from the graph is Rfg .

Diagram CF2 Rule

x is mapped by the first function g to g( x)  x  g( x).
Dfg Rfg
Then, g( x) is mapped by the second function f to fg(x)
 f g( x)  fg( x).

fg Learning Point: To find the rule of fg(x), we write it as

f  g( x)  and substitute g(x) into f(x) to find fg(x).

What can we learn from Diagram CF1 & CF2?

Domain: CF1 and CF2 are depictions of the same
composite function fg, and thus, they’re equivalent. If
Dfg 
fg
 Rfg this is the case, then the “starting point” for both must
be the same i.e. Dfg  Dg .

Learning Point: Dfg  Dg

 What can we learn from Diagram CF2?
Range – Sketch Graph of the Composite Function
(if this graph is tough, mapping method is easier)
Dfg is mapped by the composite function fg to Rfg .

Learning Point: Rfg can be found by sketching the graph

of y  fg( x) and using Dfg  Dg as the domain. The range
found from this graph is Rfg .
Special Types of Functions (Section G)
Identity Functions (G1) Self-inverse Functions (G2) Piecewise Functions (G3) Periodic Functions (G4)
An identity function gives the same A function f is said to be self-inverse A piecewise function contains a few sub- A periodic function repeats itself in
output as the input. The composite if f and f 1 are equal functions, i.e. functions, with the rule of each sub- a cycle after a specified period of
functions f−1f and ff−1 are identity f  x   f 1  x  for all x in the domain function defined on a different domain. values.
functions since the second function
maps the output of the first of f (domains of f and f 1 are also Example Example
equal).
function back to the original input! A curve has equation y  f  x  , where It is given that
7  x 2 if 0  x < 2,
For any one-one function f, In other words, if f is self-inverse, 1 for 0  x  1, f(x) = 
f 2  x   ff  x   ff 1  x   f 1f  x   x .   2 x  1 if 2  x < 4,
f -1f ( x)  x, where Df -1f  Df f ( x)   14  x  3
2
for 1  x  3,
and that f  x   f  x  4  for all real
ff -1 ( x)  x, where Dff -1  Df -1 
0 otherwise. values of x.

Note: Note: f is a piecewise function.

f is a piecewise function.
If asked to sketch the graph of f 2  x   x is valid only if f is self- f  x   f  x  4  for all real values
y  f -1f ( x)  x, where Df -1f  Df or inverse. Please do not assume it and of x makes it a periodic function.
y  ff -1 ( x)  x, where Dff -1  Df -1 , use f 2  x   x directly.
the graphs are essentially the line Note:
y  x . However, depending on f  x   f  x  4  for all real values
Df -1f and Dff -1 , we may sketch only of x works the same way as
part of the graph (see WE 27 f  x   f  x  4  for all real values
worksheet (not the one in the of x .
workbook) and TP 3 Q1(iv).