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Inverse Functions
What is an Inverse Function?
An inverse function is a function that will “undo” anything that the original function does. For example, we all have a way of tying our shoes, and how we tie our shoes could be called a function. So, what would be the inverse function of tying our shoes? The inverse function would be “untying” our shoes, because “untying” our shoes will “undo” the original function of tying our shoes.
Let’s look at an inverse function from a mathematical point of view. Consider the function f(x) = 2x – 5. If we take any value of x and plug it into f(x) what would happen to that value of x? First, the value of x would get multiplied by 2 and then we would subtract 5. The two mathematical operations that are taking place in the function f(x) are multiplication and subtraction. Now let’s consider the inverse function. What two mathematical operations would be needed to “undo” f(x)? Division and addition would be needed to “undo” the multiplication and subtraction. A little farther down the page we will find the inverse of f(x) = 2x – 5, and hopefully the inverse function will contain both division and addition (see example 5).
Notation
If f(x) represents a function, then the notation f -^1 (x),read “f inverse of x”, will be used to denote the inverse of f(x). Similarly, the notation g -^1 (x),read “g inverse of x”, will be used to denote the inverse of g(x).
Does the Function have an Inverse?
Not all functions have an inverse, so it is important to determine whether or not a function has an inverse before we try and find the inverse. If a function does not have an inverse, then we need to realize the function does not have an inverse so we do not waste time trying to find something that does not exist.
So how do we know if a function has an inverse? To determine if a function has an inverse function, we need to talk about a special type of function called a One to One Function. A oneto one function is a function where each input (x value) has a unique output (y value). To put it another way, every time we plug in a value of x we will get a unique value of y, the same y value will never appear more than once. A oneto one function is special because only oneto one functions have an inverse function.
Examples – Now let’s look at a few examples to help demonstrate what a one to one function is.
Example 1 : Determine if the function f = {(7, 3), (8, –5), (–2, 11), (–6, 4)} is a oneto one function.
The function f is a oneto one function because each of the y values in the ordered pairs is unique; none of the y values appear more than once. Since the function f is a oneto one function, the function f must have an inverse.
Note : 1
f (x). f (x)
- (^) π It is very important not to confuse function notation with negative exponents.
Note : Only Onet o One Functions have an inverse function.
Example 2 : Determine if the function h = {(–3, 8), (–11, –9), (5, 4), (6, –9)} is a oneto one function.
The function h is not a one to one function because the y value of –9 is not unique; the y value of – appears more than once. Since the function h is not a oneto one function, the function h does not have an inverse.
Remember that only oneto one function have an inverse.
Is the Function a One to One Function?
We can determine if functions are oneto one by looking at ordered pairs and determining if each of the y values is unique, but what if we do not have ordered pairs? We could create ordered pairs by plugging different x values into the function and finding the corresponding y values giving us some ordered pairs. Rather than spending time creating ordered pairs, why not consider looking at the entire graph of the function instead? By looking at the entire graph rather than a few points, we should still be able to determine if the function is a oneto one function or not.
In looking at the graph of the function we can determine if a function is a oneto one function or not by applying the Horizontal Line Test, or HLT. If the graph of the function passes the Horizontal Line Test, then the function is a oneto one function. If the graph of the function fails the Horizontal Line Test, then the function is not a oneto one function.
By applying the Horizontal Line Test not only can we determine if a function is a oneto one function, but more importantly we can determine if a function has an inverse or not.
Examples – Now let’s look at a few examples to help explain the Horizontal Line Test.
Example 3 : Determine if the function f(x) =
x 2 4
- is a onet o one function.
To determine if f(x) is a oneto one function, we need to look at the graph of f(x). Since f(x) is a linear equation the graph of f(x) is a line with a slope of –3/4 and a y intercept of (0, 2).
In looking at the graph, you can see that any horizontal line (shown in red) drawn on the graph will intersect the graph of f(x) only once.
Therefore, f(x) is a oneto one function and f(x) must have an inverse.
Horizontal Line Test – The HLT says that a function is a oneto one function if there is no horizontal line that intersects the graph of the function at more than one point.
Examples – Now let’s use the steps shown above to work through some examples of finding inverse functions.
Example 5 : If f(x) = 2x – 5, find the inverse.
This function passes the Horizontal Line Test which means it is a oneto one function that has an inverse.
y = 2x – 5 Change f(x) to y.
x = 2y – 5 Switch x and y.
Solve for y by adding 5 to each side and then dividing each side by 2.
Change y back to f–1^ (x).
Therefore, 1
x 5 f (x) 2
- (^) = + or f 1 (x) 1 x 5. 2 2
Example 6 : If f(x) = –x^2 + 4, find f -^1 (x).
This function does not pass the Horizontal Line Test which means it is not a oneto one function.
f -^1 (x)doesnotexist f(x) is not a oneto one, so f(x) = –x^2 + 4 does not have an inverse.
Therefore, f -^1 (x) does not exist.
x 5 2y
x 5 y 2
f 1 (x) x^5 1 x^5 2 2 2
Example 7 : If f(x) = (x – 2)^3 , find the inverse.
This function passes the Horizontal Line Test which means it is a oneto one function that has an inverse.
y = (x – 2)^3 Change f(x) to y.
x = (y – 2)^3 Switch x and y.
Solve for y by taking the cube root of each side and then adding 2 to each side.
Change y back to f–1^ (x).
Therefore, f -^1 (x) = 3 x +2.
Addition Examples
If you would like to see more examples of finding inverse functions, just click on the link below.
Additional Examples
Practice Problems
Now it is your turn to try a few practice problems on your own. Work on each of the problems below and then click on the link at the end to check your answers.
Problem 1 : If f(x) = find f -^1 (x).
Problem 2 : If f(x) = find f -^1 (x).
Problem 3 : If f(x) = –(x + 2)^2 – 1, find f -^1 (x).
Problem 4 : If f(x) = –3x + 11, find f -^1 (x).
Problem 5 : If f(x) = find f -^1 (x).
Problem 6 : If f(x) = find f -^1 (x).
Solutions to Practice Problems
3 3 3
3
3
x (y 2)
x y 2
x 2 y
4x 3 , 2x 1
x , 6 4
(^5) x + 2 - 3,
2x 5 , 3
