PrepPros

Chapter 13: Functions

A function is defined as a mathematical relationship between a variable 𝑥 and the function 𝑓(𝑥). For every
value of 𝑥, there is exactly one value of 𝑓(𝑥). For any function, there will be an input 𝑥, which appears as the
term in the parentheses of a function, and an output, which will be the value that 𝑓(𝑥) equals.

Function Basics
1
In order to solve functions questions on the SAT, we first need to know where to properly plug in the input to a
function. For the function
𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 − 2
you plug in the input for 𝑥. You are likely used to the input being a number, but the input can include
variables as well. No matter what the input, just plug it in for the 𝑥 in the equation:
𝑓(3) = 5(3) − 2 = 13
𝑓(−2𝑥) = 5(−2𝑥) − 2 = −10𝑥 − 2
𝑓(𝑎 − 11) = 5(𝑎 − 11) − 2 = 5𝑎 − 57

1 Example 1: If 𝑓(𝑥) = 3√𝑥 + 11, what is the value for 𝑓(25) ?

Solution: To solve, plug in the input to the function.

𝑓(25) = 3√25 + 11 = 3(5) + 11 = 15 + 11 = 26
The answer is 26.

$("
1 Example 2: If 𝑓(𝑥) = "#', for what value of 𝑥 does 𝑓(𝑥) = 5?

Solution: If you are given the output, which is 5 in this question, and need to find the input, plug in the output
for 𝑓(𝑥) and solve for the input 𝑥.
10𝑥
5=
𝑥+4
5(𝑥 + 4) = 10𝑥
5𝑥 + 20 = 10𝑥
20 = 5𝑥
4=𝑥
The answer is 4.

2/3
Composite Functions
Quite often, the SAT will ask you to solve composite functions. A composite function is a function that is
written inside of another function. We will use the examples below to learn how to solve composite functions
questions correctly.

2 Example 3: If 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 10 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 5, what is the value of 𝑓(𝑔(8))?

Solution: If you are asked to solve a composite function, there are two methods to solve: (1) solve for the
composite function or (2) work inside out. Let’s learn how to solve with both methods:

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 Chapter 13: Functions

Method #1 - Solve for the composite function: We want to solve for the function 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)). To do so, we
plug the entire 𝑔(𝑥) function in for the 𝑥 in the 𝑓(𝑥) function. So, we plug 𝑥 − 5 in for 𝑥 in the 𝑓(𝑥) function.
𝑓˜𝑔(𝑥)™ = 3(𝑥 − 5) + 10 = 3𝑥 − 15 + 10 = 3𝑥 − 5
Now that we know the composite function, we can plug in 8 for 𝑥 and solve.
𝑓˜𝑔(8)™ = 3(8) − 5 = 24 − 5 = 19
The answer is 19.

Method #2 - Work inside out: Rather than solve for the composite function, we can also work from the
inside out to solve for 𝑓(𝑔(8)). To start, we can solve for 𝑔(8).
𝑔(8) = 8 − 5 = 3
We now know that 𝑔(8) = 3, so we can simplify the function we are solving for.
𝑓˜𝑔(8)™ = 𝑓(3)
Now, we solve for 𝑓(3).
𝑓(3) = 3(3) + 10 = 19
The answer is 19.

Both of these methods work for any composite function questions on the SAT, so you should use the one that
you are more comfortable with.

Example 4: If 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 % − 7 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3, what is 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 − 1))?

3
A) 2𝑥 % + 2 B) 2𝑥 % + 8𝑥 + 1 C) 2𝑥 % + 12𝑥 + 11 D) 2𝑥 % − 3

Solution: This question looks more difficult since we now have 𝑥 − 1 as the input, but you should still treat
this as a composite function. Both of the methods outlined in Example 3 work to solve. Below, we will use
the inside out method. First, we solve for 𝑔(𝑥 − 1):
𝑔(𝑥 − 1) = (𝑥 − 1) + 3 = 𝑥 + 2
We now know that 𝑔(𝑥 − 1) = 𝑥 + 2, so we can simplify the function that we are solving for.
𝑓˜𝑔(𝑥 − 1)™ = 𝑓(𝑥 + 2)
Now, solve for 𝑓(𝑥 + 2)
𝑓(𝑥 + 2) = 2(𝑥 + 2)% − 7 = 2(𝑥 % + 4𝑥 + 4) − 7 = 2𝑥 % + 8𝑥 + 8 − 7 = 2𝑥 % + 8𝑥 + 1
𝑓˜𝑔(𝑥 − 1)™ = 2𝑥 % + 8𝑥 + 1
The answer is B.

**Common Mistake to Avoid: Remember that (𝑥 + 2)% ≠ 𝑥 % + 4. You need to multiply out the terms
because (𝑥 + 2)% is the same as (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 2).

Functions on Graphs
When a function is graphed, the input, 𝒙, is on the 𝒙-axis and the output, 𝒇(𝒙), is on the 𝒚-axis. Another 1/2
way to better understand how functions appear on a graph is to remember that for any function we can replace
the 𝒇(𝒙) with 𝒚 to graph the function in Desmos.
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃 is the same as 𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 is the same as 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄

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 PrepPros

For any specific point on the graph of a function, we can think of the 𝑓(𝑥) as the 𝑦-coordinate and 𝑥 as the
𝑥-coordinate. For example, if we are told 𝑓(2) = 7, the point (2, 7) is on the graph.

Example 5: The graph of the function 𝑓 is shown below. If 𝑓(𝑎) = 3 and 𝑓(2) = 𝑏, what is the value of
𝑎+𝑏?

Solution: To solve this question, we need to understand how to interpret the input, 𝑥, and output, 𝑓(𝑥), of a
function when the function is graphed. Remember, the input of the function is the 𝑥-value and the output as
the 𝑦-value.

Let’s start with 𝑓(𝑎) = 3. We are asked to find the input, 𝑎, that has an output of 3. On the graph, the output
is the 𝑦-value, so we need to find the 𝑥-value (the input) where 𝑦 = 3. On the graph, the only point where
𝑦 = 3 is at the point (5, 3). So, we see that 𝑎 = 5.

Now, let’s find 𝑏. We are told that 𝑓(2) = 𝑏. We are given the input, so we know the 𝑥-value is 2. To find 𝑏,
we need to find the 𝑦-value when 𝑥 = 2. On the graph, the point where 𝑥 = 2 is at (2, −2), so 𝑏 = −2.

Now, that we know 𝑎 and 𝑏, we can solve. 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 5 + (−2) = 3. The answer is 3.

2-4 Inverse Functions

Inverse functions, written as 𝑓 +$ (𝑥), are less commonly tested on the SAT, but they are pretty easy to solve.
The problem is that many students forget how to solve for inverse function! So be sure to memorize this one
simple method: To find the inverse of any function, switch the input 𝒙 and the output 𝒇(𝒙) and solve for
𝒇(𝒙). Let’s see how this works in the example below.
$("+3
2 Example 6: Given the function 𝑓(𝑥) =
%
, what is the value for 𝑓 +$ (6.5) ?

Solution: To find the inverse of a function, switch the input 𝑥 and the output 𝑓(𝑥). Most students find it
easiest to start by replacing 𝑓(𝑥) with 𝑦, so our function becomes
10𝑥 − 7
𝑦=
2
To find the inverse function, switch the 𝑥 and 𝑦 and then solve for 𝑦.
10𝑦 − 7
𝑥=
2
2𝑥 = 10𝑦 − 7
2𝑥 + 7 = 10𝑦
2𝑥 + 7
=𝑦
10

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 Chapter 13: Functions

Once we have solved for 𝑦, we have found the inverse function. Now, plug in 𝑓 +$ (𝑥) for 𝑦.
2𝑥 + 7
𝑓 +$ (𝑥) =
10
Now that we know the inverse, we can find 𝑓 +$ (6.5) by plugging in 6.5

2(6.5) + 7 20
𝑓 +$ (6.5) = = =2
10 10
𝑓 +$ (6.5) = 2
The answer is 2.

Functions Practice: Answers on page 329.

For questions 1-15, use the functions below. 16. The function 𝑓 is defined as 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 % − 4𝑥. 1
What is the value of 𝑓(2)?
𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 % − 7
𝑔(𝑥) = −3𝑥 + 10
A) −12
ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3
B) −4
C) 0
1. What is the value of 𝑓(4)?
D) 12
2. What is the value of 𝑔(−31)?
17. What is the value of 𝑓(−3) given 1
3. What is the value of 𝑓(−10)? 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 % + 3𝑥 + 10 ?

4. What is the value of ℎ(−19)? A) −46

B) −26
5. What is the value of 𝑓(3𝑥)? C) 28
D) 36
1
6. What is the value of 𝑔(𝑥 − 3)?
18. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 − 1 gives the total
number of students on a field trip with 𝑥 1
7. For what value of 𝑥 does ℎ(𝑥) = −5?
teachers. What is the total number of students
8. For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑔(𝑥) = 31? on a field trip with 5 teachers?

9. For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑓(𝑥) = 43?

10. For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑔(𝑥) = −11?

19. For the function 𝑚(𝑥) = 8 − 6𝑥, for what
11. What is the value of 𝑔(ℎ(−11))? 1
value of 𝑥 does 𝑚(𝑥) equal −1?
12. What is the value of 𝑓(ℎ(2𝑥))?

13. What is the value of 𝑓(ℎ(−4)? 2

14. For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑔(ℎ(𝑥)) = 18?

20. The function 𝑓 is defined as 1
𝑓(𝑥) = −6𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 % . What is 𝑓(−4)?
15. What is the value of 𝑔(𝑓(3𝑥))?

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