Inverse Functions
Inverse Functions
Inverse Functions
Functions
What is an Inverse?
An inverse relation is a relation that performs
the opposite operation on x (the domain).
Examples:
f(x) = x – 3 f⁻¹(x) = x + 3
g(x) =√x , x ≥ 0 g⁻¹(x) = x² , x ≥ 0
h(x) = 2x h⁻¹(x) = ½ x
k(x) = -x + 3 k⁻¹(x)
Section 1.9 : Illustration
of the Definition of Inverse
Functions
How do we know if an inverse
function exists?
Inverse functions only exist if the original
function is one to one. Otherwise it is an
inverse relation and cannot be written as
f⁻¹(x).
y
(0, 7) (4, 7)
Example: The function
y = x² – 4x + 7 is not one-to- y=7
one because a horizontal line 2
can intersect the graph twice. x
2
Examples points: (0, 7) & (4,
7).
Example: Apply the horizontal line test to the
graphs below to determine if the functions are
one-to-one.
a) y = x³ b) y = x³ + 3x² – x – 1
y y
8 8
4 4
-4 4 -4 4
x x