1

Inverse Functions

Definition of a function

If there exists a unique relationship between the independent variable, x (an element of the domain) and
the dependent variable, y (an element of the range), then the relationship is a FUNCTION .

Relationships can be depicted in various ways:

- Ordered pairs and tables
- Mappings
- Graphs
- Equations

1. We say the following mapping from x to y is one-to-one mapping, because: for every x value, there is
only one y value, and is therefore a FUNCTION.

x y

1 2
2 3
3 4

Also: {(1;2) , (2;3) , (3;4)} is a function because for each x value, there is only 1 y value.

If a graph of a one-to-one relationship is drawn, we can say that the relationship would be a function
because the vertical line test would cut the graph only once.
y

O x

2. We say the following mapping from x to y is a many-to-one mapping, and would still be considered a
FUNCTION, as each x value still has its own unique y value.
x y
-1 1
0
1 0
2

Also: {(-1;1) , (0;1) , (1;1) , (2;0)} is a function because each x value has its own y value.
 2

If a graph of a many-to-one relationship was drawn, we can say that the relationship would be a
function because the vertical line test would cut the graph only once.
y

O x

3. We say the following mapping from x to y is a one-to-many because: one or more x values has more
than 1 y value, and it is a NON-FUNCTION
x y

1 2
3
2 4

Also: {(1;2) , (1;3) , (2;4)} is a non-function as there is more than y value for one or more x values.

If the graph of a one-to-many relationship was drawn we can say that the relationship would be a non-
function because the vertical line test would cut the graph more than once.
y

∙
O x

To test whether a function has a one-to-one or a many-to-one mapping

If the graph was drawn, we could use a horizontal line test to see if the mapping was many-to-one or not.

If the horizontal line cuts the line once, then the function represents a one-to-one mapping
y

O x
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If the horizontal line cuts the graph more than once, the function represents a many-to-one mapping.
y

● ●

O x

Inverse functions
1
 An inverse function f , reverses the operation of a function f .

 Consider the function: f ( x)  3x  6 (or y = 3x – 6 or f : x  3x  6 ):

This function , f, can be represented as follows:

6 12

domain 2 -6 0 range

-3 -15

1
 The inverse, f , of this function can be represented as follows:

12 6

domain 0 +6 2 range

-15 -3

 So: the equation of the inverse function is:

x6 x 6 x6
, f 1 ( x)  , ( or y  or f 1
:x 
3 3 3
1
 The domain of the function f is the same as the range of the inverse function f .
1
 Also : f (6)  12 and then f (12 )  6 .
1
So: if (6;12) is an element of f , then (12;6) is an element of f .

 Did you notice that the x and y values were interchanged?

1
 If you are given the equation for f and you want to find the equation for f :

o interchange x and y in the equation for f

o make y the subject of the formula in this new equation.

 Note the following: [See examples on page 50]

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- The xintercept of the graph becomes the intercept of the inverse, and vice versa.The co-ordinates of
any point on the graph are swopped around for the inverse.
- The graph and its inverse are reflected about the line y = x.
- The 2 graphs will always intersect on the line y = x

 The inverse of a function will only be a function if the function itself was one-to-one.
The inverse of a many-to-one function will not be a function.
 If you, however, restrict the domain of the original function, so that the original function is one-to-one,
then the inverse of this restricted function will also be a function.
e.g. if you restrict the domain of y = x² to x Є [0;  ) or x Є (-  ;0], then the inverse will also be a
function.

1. Find the inverse of y = x² . Leave your answer in the form y = …

2. On the system of axes below, draw the graphs of y = x², and its inverse.

5 y

x
−4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5

−1

−2

−3

−4
 5

 Use a different colour pen (or highlighter) and show which part of y = x² and which part of its inverse
will be obtained by limiting/restricting the domain of f in one of the ways mentioned above, so that
the inverse will be a function.

The inverse of the straight line:

Example: Find the equation of the inverse of y = 2x – 4 and sketch both graphs on the same system
of axes.
f(x) :

Domain: xR
y = 2x – 4 becomes: x = 2y – 4
Range: yR
y y= 1
x+2
2 x-int (2 ; 0) and y-int (0 ;– 4)

2 f – 1(x):

– 0 2 x Domain: xR
4 –4 Range: yR

y=x x-int (– 4 ; 0) and y-int (0 ; 2)

The inverse of the parabola: The point of intersection is on the

Example: Find the equation of the inverse of y = 2x2 – 3x – 2 andline
sketch
y = both
x, thegraphs
axis ofon
symmetry.
the same system of axes.

y = 2x2 – 3x – 2 becomes: x = 2y2 – 3y – 2

y
g:

Domain: x   ;  
g

2
Range: y  [  3 18 ;)

( ) x-intercepts: – 12 and 2, y-intercept: – 2

–
–2 2 x
– g – 1:
g –1
–2 Domain: x  [– 3 81 ; )

Range: y   ;  
y=x ( )
0

y-intercepts: – 12 and 2, x-intercept: – 2

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The Logarithmic Function

 Definition of a logarithm: The log of a number, to a given base, is the exponent to which the base must
be raised, to equal the number.

e.g 103 = 1000 ∴ log10 1000 = 3

34 = 81 ∴ log 3 81 = 4

 We can say “ a log is an exponent”

 We define: if N = 𝐵 𝑥 , then log B N = 𝑥 where N = the number, B = the base ,

and x is the exponent.

 We say that N = 𝑩𝒙 is the exponential form, and 𝐥𝐨𝐠 B N = 𝒙 is the log form

 If a log has no base written in , it is understood to be base 10, e.g log10 1000 can be written
as log 1000.

Exercise 1:

1. Complete the table, filling in the log/exp form where necessary:

Exponential form Logarithmic form Exponential form Logarithmic form

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24 = 16 log 5 125 = 3
log 8 1 = 0 21 = 2
1
273 = 3 log 𝑝 = −1
log 𝑡 1 = 0 3𝑥 = 5

2. Change to exponential form, and solve:

2.1 log 5 625 = 𝑥 2.2 log16 4 = 𝑥

1
2.3 log 3 243 = 𝑥 2.4 log 0,01 = 𝑥

3. Use a calculator to evaluate x: (Give your answer correct to 2 decimal places)

3.1 x = log 3 6 3.2 x = log 32

4. Change to log form and solve for x: (Give your answer correct to 2 decimal places)
1 𝑥
4.1 3𝑥 = 5 4.2 (2) = 324
210
4.3 1,2𝑥 = 64000 4.4 1,08𝑥 = 212

The graph of the logarithmic function:

Remember: An exponential function has equation 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑎 𝑥

Consider the exponential graph y = 2𝑥 Find the inverse of this function in the form y = …..

Ans: Inverse is x = 2𝑦

Now change to log form: y = log2 𝑥

We say that the logarithmic function is the inverse of the exponential function.

1. Sketch the graphs of y = 2𝑥 ; y = log 2 𝑥 and y = x on the axes provided below.

Label the intercepts with the axes, and at least one other point.
 8

9 y

1
x
−5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

−1

−2

−3

1 𝑥
2. Sketch the graphs of y = (2) ; y = log 1 𝑥 and y = x on the axes provided below. Label the intercepts
2
with the axes, and at least one other point.
 9

9 y

1
x
−5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

−1

−2

−3

Observations for y = log𝑎 𝑥:

 Domain: {x ∣x > 0, x ∈ ℝ }
 Range: {y ∣ y ∈ ℝ }
 x-intercept (1 ; 0)
 y-axis is an asymptote
 If a > 1, the function increases.
 If 0 < a < 1, the function decreases.
 The larger the base, the steeper the graph.
 The smaller the base, the shallower the graph.
 As x → 0, y → ∞. As x → ∞, y → ∞ gradually.
 y = 𝑎 𝑥 and y = log𝑎 𝑥 are reflected about the line y = x.
 The graphs of y = log𝑎 𝑥 and y = log 1 𝑥 are reflected about the x-axis.
𝑎
Note: y = log 1 𝑥 can be written as y = - log 𝑎 𝑥
𝑎
 The graphs of y = log𝑎 𝑥 and y = log 𝑎 (−𝑥 ) are reflected about the y-axis.

Note the following reflections for a logarithmic graph:

y

y = log 𝑎 (−𝑥 ) y = log 𝑎 𝑥

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O x

y = = − log 𝑎 𝑥

y = − log 𝑎 (−𝑥 )

To find the equation of a log function:

We need to find the “ a” value, so one point is needed.

e.g Determine the equation of a graph in the form y = log𝑎 𝑥 , if it passes through the point (2;1).

Solution: y = log 𝑎 𝑥

∴ 1 = log 𝑎 2

∴ 𝑎1 = 21

∴ 𝑎=2

To find the domain of a logarithmic function :

Remember: for the domain of 𝑦 = log 𝑎 𝑥, we must have x > 0. (The log of a negative number is undefined –
test this on a calculator)

e.g Find the domain of the function 𝑦 = log 𝑎 (2𝑥 − 3)

Solution: log 𝑎 (2𝑥 − 3) is only defined if 2x – 3 > 0

3
∴ 𝑥 > 2

Exercise:

1. For each of the following:

(a) sketch the inverse

(b) write down the equation of f –1, the inverse
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(c) write down the domain and range of f

(d) write down whether or not the inverse is a function

1.1 1.2
y
y

3 f

-1 0 x -3 0 3 x

y = 3x + 3 y = –x2 + 9

1.3 1.4
y y

0 x 0 x

y x xy = –2
2

2. g( x)  2x  3

2.1 Write g –1, the inverse of g, in the form g –1 : x  …

2.2 Solve the equation g(x) = g –1 (2).
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3. h = {(x ; y) : y = ½ x2}

3.1 Find h –1, writing the answer in the form y = …

3.2 Sketch h and h –1 on the same set of axes.
3.3 Write down the domain and range of h –1.
3.4 Explain why h –1 is not a function.

y g

4. The figure shows the curve of

f = {(x ; y) / xy = k, x > 0} as well as the curve 0 x

of g, which is a parabola symmetrical about

the x-axis passing through the origin. The f

point of intersection of the two curves is (3 ; –2).

4.1 Determine the value of k.

4.2 Determine the equation of the graph
of g in the form g(x) = …

4x  3
5. If f ( x)  , determine the value of f –1 (4p + 1).
5

6. On the same set of axes, draw sketch graphs of the curve of g and g –1,

the inverse of g where g (x) = (x + 2)2. Indicate the intercepts with the

axes as well as the line (with its equation) which serves as axis of symmetry

between g and g –1.

y
g f
7. The sketch represents the graphs of the

x
B(3;33/8)
function f with f(x) = a ; g, the reflection

0 x
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of f in the y-axis and h, the reflection of

g in the x-axis.

7.1 Calculate the value of a if

B(3 ; 33/8) is a point on f.

7.2 Write down the equation of g.

7.3 Write down the equation of h.
7.4 Write the equation of f –1 in
the form x = …