1

Unit 1.4
Inverse Functions
One-to-One Function
( ) ( )
A function is if for every
distinct elements and o
one-to-one
f ,
f
f
a b D
f a f b =
Equivalently, is one-to-one if and only if
no two ordered pairs of have the same
second component.
f
f
Example 1.4.1
( )
Determine if the function is one-to-one or not.
1.
is one-to-one.
f x x
f
=
( )
( ) ( )
2
2.
is not one-to-one.
Reason: 1,1 and 1,1 are both in .
g x x
g
g
=

Horizontal Line Test

A function is one-to-one if and only if no
horizontal line intersects its graph more
than once.
2
Example 1.4.2
( )
Determine if the function is one-to-one or not.
1. 1 f x x =
is one-to-one. f
( )
2
2. 4 g x x =
is not one-to-one. g
( )
2
3. 9 h x x =
is not one-to-one. h
Inverse of a Function
( ) ( )
1
1
inverse function
Let be a one-to-one function. Then its
is defined by
if and only if
f
f
f y x f x y

= =
1
1
f
f
f
f
D R
R D

=
=
Properties of a Function and its Inverse Example 1.4.3
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
1
2 1 and are inverses.
2
0 1
0 1 0
3 2
3 2 3
x
f x x g x
f
g f g
g
f g f
+
= =
=
= =
=
= =
3
( )( )
( )( )
1
1
f f x x
f f x x

=
=

Properties of a Function and its Inverse

( )
( )
1
1. Write .
2. Solve in terms of .
3. Interchange and . The resulting
equation is .
y f x
x y
x y
y f x

=
=
Finding the Inverse of a One-to-One Function
Example 1.4.4
( )( )
( )( )
1 1
1
1
1
1
For each item,
(a) find
(b) and
(c) show that and
(d) sketch the graph of and in
one coordinate plane.
f f
f
D R
f f x x
f f x x
f f

=
=

( )
( )
1
1. 2 1
a. 2 1
2 1
1
2
interchanging and ,
1
2
1
Therefore,
2
f x x
y x
x y
y
x
x y
x
y
x
f x

=
=
= +
+
=
+
=
+
=
( ) ( )
1
1
1
1
2 1
2
b.
f
f
f
f
x
f x x f x
D R
R D

+
= =
= =
= =

( ) ( )
( )( ) ( ) ( )
1
1 1
1
2 1
2
c.
1
2
1
2 1
2
1 1
x
f x x f x
f f x f f x
x
f
x
x
x

+
= =
=
+ | |
=
|
\ .
+ | |
=
|
\ .
= +
=

4
( ) ( )
( )( ) ( ) ( )
( )
1
1 1
1
1
2 1
2
2 1
2 1 1
2
2
2
x
f x x f x
f f x f f x
f x
x
x
x

+
= =
=
=
+
=
=
=

( )
( )
1
2
1
1
2
2 1
0
1 0
1
2
0 1
0
f x x
x
y
x
f x
x
y

+
=

f
1
f

y x =
1
The graph of and are symmetric with
respect to the line .
f f
y x

=
Properties of a Function and its Inverse
( )
( )
2
2
2
1 2
2. 1
a. 1
1
1
interchanging and ,
1
Therefore, 1
f x x
y x
y x
x y
x y
y x
f x x

=
=
=
= +
= +
= +
( ) ( )
| )
| )
1
1
1 2
1 1
b. 0,
1,
f
f
f
f
f x x f x x
D R
R D

= = +
= = +
= = +
( ) ( )
( )( ) ( ) ( )
( )
1 2
1 1
2
2
2
1 1
c.
1
1 1
f x x f x x
f f x f f x
f x
x
x
x

= = +
=
= +
= +
=
=

5
( ) ( )
( )( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( )
1 2
1 1
1
2
1 1
1
1 1
1 1
f x x f x x
f f x f f x
f x
x
x
x

= = +
=
=
= +
= +
=

( )
| )
| )
1
1,
0,
1 2
0 1
f
f
f x x
D
R
x
y
=
= +
= +
( )
| )
| )
1
1
1 2
1
0,
1,
0 1
1 2
f
f
f x x
D
R
x
y

= +
= +
= +
f
1
f

y x =
Reading Assignment
Read "Reading Assignment 2.pdf" in the
files section of the e-group.
Required Exercises
Answer Solved Problems in
the Worktext On page 27-31.
Answer without looking at the
solutions. Use the solutions to
check your answers.
End of Unit 1.4