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2.7 Inverse Functions
Finding Domain:
The DOMAIN is the set of all real values that we can plug in to a function that give out something that is
real and well-defined.
Finding domain from an equation:
Invite all real numbers to the domain party, then only keep those that give out real, well-defined
numbers when you plug them in.
1. Can’t divide by zero, so EXCLUDE all values for x that give zero in the denominator.
something
If you have , then find all values of x that make stuff= 0 and throw them out.
stuff
Example: Find domain.
4𝑥 − 2
𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 −9
𝑥2 − 9 ≠ 0
𝑥2 ≠ 9
𝑥 ≠ ±3
So domain is all real numbers except 3 and -3. Or, in interval notation (−∞, −3) ∪ (−3,3) ∪ (3, ∞)
2. We don’t want imaginary numbers here, so only INCLUDE x values that give positive or zero
under an EVEN index radical. The even root of a negative number is imaginary, NOT REAL.
If you have 𝑛√𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑓𝑓 , where n even, then stuff ≥0.
Example: Find domain.
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2 − √3𝑥 + 6
3𝑥 + 6 ≥ 0
3𝑥 ≥ −6
𝑥 ≥ −2
So domain is all real numbers x ≥ -2. Or, in interval notation [−2, ∞)
3. Can’t take the logarithm of a negative number OR ZERO, so only INCLUDE values of x that make
stuff inside log positive.
If you have log 𝑏 (𝑗𝑢𝑛𝑘), then junk > 0.
Example: Find domain.
𝑓(𝑥) = log 𝑏 (2𝑥 + 4)
2𝑥 + 4 > 0
2𝑥 > −4
𝑥 > −2
So domain is all real numbers x > -2. Or, in interval notation (−2, ∞)
4. Word problems must make sense. No negative times. No negative lengths, etc.
MUST CHECK ALL 4 RULES EVERY TIME!
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Examples:
Find the domain of the following functions. Write your answers in interval notation:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 7
2. 𝑔(𝑥) = √5 − 𝑥
9 𝑥
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+3 − 𝑥−1
5
4. 𝑔(𝑥) = 2
−1
𝑥
√𝑡+4
5. 𝑓(𝑡) =
3𝑡−27
Composite Functions:
The composition of the function f with g, denoted (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥), and is defined by (f o g)(x) ≡ f(g(x)).
When forming a composite function, you plug one function into another.
The domain of the composite function 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 is the set of all x such that
1. x is in the domain of g and
2. g(x) is in the domain of f.
In practice, whenever you need to find the domain of a function created by combining 2
functions, apply the 4 rules of domain BEFORE simplification and AFTER.
Examples:
1. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 3, find the following:
a. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥)
b. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥)
c. (𝑔 ∘ 𝑔)(−2)
𝑥 2
2. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = and 𝑔(𝑥) = , find (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥).
𝑥−1 𝑥
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Finding values of composite function using charts or graphs:
Example 1:
Evaluate each expression using the values in the given table.
𝑥 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3
𝑓(𝑥) −9 −7 −5 −3 −1 1 3
𝑔(𝑥) 3 2 1 0 −1 −2 −3
Warm up:
Find 𝑓(2), 𝑓(−3), and 𝑔(2)
a. What is (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(3)?
b. What is (𝑔 ∘ 𝑔)(2)?
c. What is (𝑓 ∘ 𝑓)(1)?
d. What is (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(2)?
Example 2:
Use the given graphs to find
a. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(3)
b. (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(2)
Inverse functions:
Recall that a function f takes an input, usually x, and produces an output f(x) or y.
An INVERSE FUNCTION undoes a function. If you tell the inverse function the output of the original
function, the inverse will tell you the original input.
The inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) is written 𝑓 −1 (𝑥). Note that the −1 is NOT an exponent, although it looks exactly like
1 1
one. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(𝑥), even though 𝑎−1 = 𝑎. The only way you know 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) is an inverse function and not
a negative exponent is the context around it.
The DOMAIN of 𝑓(𝑥) is the RANGE of 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).
The DOMAIN of 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) is the RANGE of 𝑓(𝑥).
Domain → x values. Range → y values.
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Verifying Inverses:
Examples:
Determine if the pairs of functions below are inverses of each other.
𝑥−9
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 9 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 4
𝑥+3
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 7
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Finding the Inverse: Switch and Solve
1. Rewrite equation, replacing 𝑓(𝑥) with y.
2. Interchange x and y.
3. Solve for y, i.e. get “y =” on one side and no y’s on the other.
a. Clear fractions
b. Distribute (distribution usually better than division)
4. Finish solving (sometimes this requires factoring out a y). If you have y on both sides of the
equation, you are not done.
5. Verify by showing f 1 f ( x) x and f f 1 ( x) x .
Examples:
1. Find the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 1.
2𝑥−3
2. Find the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+1
.
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One to One Functions:
If the inverse of a function is also a function, then the function is one to one.
If a function is one to one, then its inverse is also a function.
FUNCTION: each input, x, used at most one time. Vertical line test
ONE TO ONE: each output, y, used at most one time. Horizontal line test
Vertical and Horizontal Line Tests:
Do the following graphs represent functions? Are they one to one? Do they have inverse functions?
Graphing the Inverse Function:
The graph of f –1 is a reflection of the graph of f about the line y = x. To find the inverse from a graph of
points (x, y), switch the x and y values for each point and connect the dots. WHY?
Examples:
For the given graphs below, sketch the inverse functions. For each function give the domain and range of
𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).
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Additional Practice:
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1. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+2, find 𝑓 −1 (𝑥). Use interval notation to give the domain and the range of 𝑓(𝑥)
and 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).
(Recall the range of the function = domain of inverse, switch x and y.
Range of inverse = domain of function, switch x and y)
3𝑥
2. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+5, find 𝑓 −1 (𝑥). Use interval notation to give the domain and the range of 𝑓(𝑥)
and 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).
3. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 3, 𝑥 ≤ 0, find 𝑓 −1 (𝑥). State the domain and range of 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).
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4. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥, find 𝑓 −1 (𝑥). State the domain and range of 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).
