Inverses 101
One-to-One Functions
Finding Inverses for One-to-One Functions
Verifying Inverses of Functions
100

If the point (3, -5) exists on the graph of f(x), this point must exist on the graph of its inverse, f^-1(x).

(-5,3)

100
What is a one-to-one function?
A function is one-to-one if each element in the range corresponds to exactly one element in the domain.
100

What are the steps for solving inverses algebraically?

1) rewrite f(x) as y; switch x and y.

2) solve for the new, inverse equation for y.

3) rewrite using function notation

100

How do we verify that f(x) and g(x) are inverses of eachother?

f(g(x))=x

g(f(x))=x

200

This is the first algebraic step usually taken when solving for the inverse of a function like f(x) = 2x + 3.

Swap the x and y variables.

200

Which line test helps determine if a graph is a one-to-one function or not? How does it work?

The Horizontal Line Test; if any horizontal line can be drawn through the graph of a function and only intersect it at one point, then it is one-to-one.

200

Find the inverse of the following function:

f(x) = -2x+5

f^-1(x) = -1/2x+5/2

200

What is one piece of evidence that shows these functions are not inverses?

f(x)=1/3(x)-3

g(x)=6x+18

f(g(x))=2x+3

or

g(f(x))=2x

300

How can we graph the inverse of the function below?

Find 5 coordinates on the graph shown and write them down. Switch the domain and range of these coordinates. Plot the new set of coordinates and connect them.

300

Is function f defined by f = {(1 , 2),(3 , 4),(5 , 6),(8 , 6),(10 , -1)}, a one to one function?

Two different values in the domain, namely 5 and 6, have the same output; hence function f is not a one to one function.

300

What do you have to do to a quadratic in order to make its inverse a one-to-one function?

Restrict it's domain.

300

True of False: The inverse of  g(x)=3/2x-7 is  g^-1(x)=(14-2x)/3 . (provide evidence)

What is False: 

g(g^-1(x))=-x  or

g^-1(g(x))=(-3x+28)/3

400

True or False (and explain): The dashed orange and solid black graphs are inverses.

False; the functions are not symmetrical across the green line (y=x).

400

If the function f(x) is a 1-1 function and f(3) = 8 then what is...

f^-1(8)=

3

400

Find the inverse of the following function:

f(x) = -3/(x+2)

f^-1(x) = -(3)/x-2

400

Why aren't h(x) and g(x) inverses?

h(x)=(x-1)^2

g(x)=sqrt(x)+1

The domain of h is x∈(-∞, ∞) and the range of g is y∈[1,∞).

500

Because it fails the horizontal line test, the function f(x)=(x-5)^2 only has an inverse if you apply the following limitation to its domain...

x∈[5, ∞) 

500

f(x) is a 1-1 function.  The domain of f(x) is:

x∈[0,oo)

the range of f(x) is 

y∈(-oo,2) cup (5,7)cup (7,oo)

"find the domain and range of" f^-1(x)

Domain:

x∈(-oo,2) cup (5,7)cup (7,oo)

Range:

y∈[0,oo)

500

Find the inverse of 

f(x)=sqrt(x)-2

f^-1(x)=x^2+4x+4, x∈[0,∞)

500

True or False: The following two functions are inverses (with evidence)

f(x)=8-x

f^-1(x)=8-x

The domain of f is x∈(-∞, ∞) and the range of f-1 is y∈(-∞,∞).

The domain of f-1 is x∈(-∞,∞) and the range of f is y∈(-∞, ∞).

f(f-1(x))=x

f-1(f(x))=x

600

This simple rational function is its own inverse, meaning if you switch its coordinates or reflect it across y=x, then the graph remains identical.

f(x)=1/x

600

Is function f given by f(x) = -x^3 + 3x^2 - 2, a one to one function? Why?

Since a horizontal line cuts the graph of f at 3 different points, that means that they are at least 3 different inputs with the same output Y and therefore f is not a one to one function.

600

Find the inverse of 

f(x)=x^2-5

f(x) (as is) does not have an inverse, since it is not one-to-one.
600

Verify that the following functions are inverses of each other:

f(x)=1/x+2

g(x)=1/(x-2)

D of f: x∈(-∞,0)∪(0,∞)

R of g: y∈(-∞,0)∪(0,∞)


D of g: x∈(-∞,2)∪(2,∞)

R of f: y∈(-∞,2)∪(2,∞)


f(g(x))=x  (work shown)

g(f(x))=x  (work shown)

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