MAT 093

PUSAT ASASI
UiTM PUNCAK ALAM
June 2013

CHAPTER 3 FUNCTIONS

Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this chapter, readers should be able to:
Differentiate between relation and function.
Define the domain and range of a function.
Carry out the algebraic operations of two functions and determine the domain.
Determine the composite function and the domain.
Prove one to one function and find the inverse function.
Sketch the basic types of function and determine their domains.

3.0 INTRODUCTION

Relation
A relation is a correspondence between two sets, X and Y. If x is an element in X, and y
is the element in Y, and if a relation exists between x and y, then we say that x
corresponds to y, or that y depends on x. In a relation, the member of the first set, X will
correspond to at least one member of the second set, Y. The object of the relation is x,
and the image is y.

For example, if we let X = {2, 3, 4} and Y = {6, 8}, and consider the relation is a factor
of, then the relation can be represented using an arrow diagram as shown below.

X Y

3 6

4 8

Figure 3.1

For the object 2, the images are 6 and 8. For the object 3, the image is 6, and for the
object 4, the image is 8.

The relation can also represented by ordered pairs, {(2, 6), (2, 8), (3, 6), (4, 8)}.

1
Another example, if we let A = {Shayful, Ameen, Liana, Mashitah} and B = {10 th October
2008, 18th July 2004, 30th March 1960, 14th May 1985}, and consider the relation, was
born on,then the relation can be express in the form of arrow diagram as in Figure 3.2.

Shayful 10th October 2008

Ameen 18th July 2004

Liana 30th March 1960

Mashitah 14th May 1985

Figure 3.2

The relation can also be represented by ordered pairs, {(Shayful, 18 th July 2004),
(Ameen, 10th October 2008), (Liana, 30th March 1960), (Mashitah, 14th May 1985)}. This
is a one-one relation.

Relation can be classified as: One to One, One to Many, Many to One, and, Many to
Many.

Function
A function is defined as a correspondence between two sets, X and Y, such that each
member of X associates to exactly one member of Y. In other words, if the relation is
One to One or Many to One, then it is a function.

Example 1

Identify whether each arrow diagram below represents a function or not.

a)
1 4

2 5

3 6

Answer: A function (One to One)

2
b)
1 4

2 5

3 10

6
Answer: A Function (Many to One)

2 1
c)
4 3

6 5

Answer: Not a Function (Many to Many)

d) 1

4 3

Answer: Not a Function (One to Many)

e)

1 3

Answer: Not a Function (one of the object did not have image)

3
 Vertical Line Test

If the relation is presented in the form of graph, a vertical line test can be used to
determine whether it is a function or otherwise. Draw a vertical line parallel to y-axis,
and moving the line along the x-axis. If the line cuts the graph only once, then the graph
represents a function; if it cuts more than once, then the graph does not represent a
function.

Example 2

Identify whether each of the graphs below represents a function or not.

a) y Answer:

x
y

Vertical line test : cuts oncefunction

b)

Vertical line test : cuts oncefunction

c) x

4
 Vertical line test : cuts more than oncenot a function

3.1 DOMAIN, CODOMAIN AND RANGE OF A FUNCTION

Definition of Domain and Range

Consider a function from the set X to the set Y.

X Y

x y

Figure 3.3

Set X is the domain of the function

The set of all elements of Y is called the codomain
The set of images in Y is the range of f
Range of f codomain of f

If the codomain consists of only the images corresponding to every object in the domain,
then the codomain is the range. This is known as onto function.

Example 3
State the domain, range and the codomain of the function below.

1 4

2 5

3 6
7

Solution
Domain is {1, 2, 3}
Range is {4, 5, 6}
Codomain is {4, 5, 6, 7}

Notation of a Function

A function usually denoted by letters such as f, F, g, G and so on. If f is a function, then

for each number x in the first set, the corresponding number in the second set is
designated by the symbol f(x), read as f of x or f at x. We refer to f(x) as the image of

5
x or the value of the function f at the number x. We write a function in the form of
equation, such as:

y = 2x + 3, f(x) = 2x + 3, y = f(x) = 2x + 3

or f: x 2x + 3.

Df .
The domain of f is denoted by
Rf .
The range of f is denoted by

Finding Values of a Function

The value for f(a) is obtained by replacing x with a in the function f(x).

Example 4

a) Consider the function f(x) = 5 + 3x for x = -1, , 1, 2, 3. Find f(-1), f(1/2), f(1), f(2),
f(3).

Solution

f(x) = 5 + 3x
f(-1) = 5 + 3(-1) = 2
f(1/2) = 5 + 3(1/2) = 13/2
f(1) = 5 + 3(1) = 8
f(2) = 5 + 3(2) = 11
f(3) = 5 + 3(3) = 14

4 2x
f ( x)
x
b) Given for x > 0. Find f(4), f(5).
Solution

4 2x
f(x)
x

4 2( 4)
f ( 4) 6
4

4 2(5) 14
f (5 )
5 5

x 1 2
f(x) f
x2 x
c) Given a function , find the value of f(2x), , f(x + h).

6
Solution
x 1
f( x)
x2

2x 1
f (2x )
2x 2

2
1
2 x
f
x 2
2
x
2x
x
2 2x
x
2x

2 2x

( x h) 1
f ( x h)
( x h) 2
x h 1

xh2

d) Given that f(x) = x2 x, determine the value of x whose image is 6.

Solution

f(x) = x2 x

x2 x = 6
x2 x 6 = 0
(x + 2)(x 3) = 0
x = -2 , x = 3

e) Let f(x) = 5 + 3x, find f(x2 ) , f (f(x)) and [f(x)]2 .

Solution

f(x2) = 5 + 3(x2) = 5 + 3x2 .

f(f(x)) = 5 + 3(f(x))
= 5 + 3( 5 + 3x)
= 5 + 15 + 9x
= 20 + 9x

7
 [f(x)]2 = [5 + 3x]2
= (5 + 3x)(5 + 3x)
= 25 + 30x + 9x2

EXERCISE 3.1

1. For each of the relations below, identify its type. Further identify which are functions and
which are not. If it is a function, state the domain and range.
a)

1 4

2 5

3 6

b)
1 4

2 5

c)

1 4

2 5

3 6

1 4
d)
2 5
8
6
e)

1 4

2 5

f)
1 4

2 5

3 6

2. Which of the following sets of ordered pairs represent functions?

a) {(1, 2), (2, 5), (3, 10)}

b) {(1, 3), (2, 6), (1, 5)}
c) {(4, 2), (9, 3), (16, 4)}
d) {(3, 27), (1, 1), (2, 8)}
e) {(2, 6), (-3, 6), (3, 9), (2, 10)}
f) {(-2, 4), (-1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1)}
g) {(0, -2), (1, 3), (2, 3), (3, 7)}

3. For the sets of ordered pairs in question 2 above that are function, determine

a) the domain
b) the range

9
4. If the function F is defined by F(x) = -2x2 + x 1, determine
a) F(1)
b) F(-2)
c) F(a)
d) F(3x)
e) F(x + 2)
1
F
t
f)

x2
g( x )
x 1
5. Find the value of x, given that g(x) = 5, where
.
1
f (x) x 4 4
x
6. If , show that:
1
f (a) f
a
a)
f ( a ) f ( a )
b)

7. Refer Foundation Mathematics I Workbook:

page 3, No. 7, 8

3.2 GRAPHS OF BASIC FUNCTIONS

The graph of a function f(x) consists of points (x, f(x) ) for all x in the domain f. In this
section, we pay special attention to the properties of each function, especially to the
shape of each graph. From the graph of a function, the domain and the range of the
function can be found.
The domain of a function are the values of x where the graph is defined (refer to
the x-axis)
The range of a function are the values of y where the graph is defined (refer to
the y-axis)
Range

10
Domain
 Figure 3.4

The following are various types of common functions with their graphs, domains and
ranges.

a. Linear Function
General equation f ( x )=mx+ c where m is gradient and c is y-intercept.

BASIC
GRAPH

CASES m>0 m<0 m=0

NATURE
OF Positive slope Negative slope Constant graph
GRAPH
DOMAIN D f ={ x < x< }={ x : x }=(, )

RANGE f x Rf = {f(x)|f(x) = c}
Rf = {f(x)| } = {f(x): f(x) }

b. Quadratic Function

General equation: f(x) = ax2 + bx + c; a0.

GRAPH

11
 y y

k-
x
x

-k -----

CASES a<0 a>0

NATURE
OF
Maximum graph Minimum graph
GRAPH

DOMAIN D f ={ x < x< }={ x : x }=( , )

Rf ={ f ( x )< f ( x ) k } Rf ={ f ( x )k f ( x ) < }
RANGE

c. Cubic Function

General equation : f(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d; a 0

y y

x
BASIC
GRAPH x

DOMAIN D f ={ x < x< }={ x : x }=( , )

RANGE Rf ={ f ( x )< f ( x ) < } ={ f ( x ) }=( , )

d. Natural Logaritmic Function

12
 f x ln ax b

General equation:

y y
b b
x= x=
a a
BASIC
GRAPH x
x

CASES a>0 a<0

b
x
NATURE OF a
GRAPH
Asymptote line at
Asymptote is the invisible, impassable barrier that a curve cannot
cross. It is also known as a point of discontinuity.
DOMAIN {
Df = x x>
b
a } D f = x x<
b
a { }
RANGE Rf ={ f ( x )< f ( x ) < } ={ f ( x ) }=( , )

e. Natural Exponential Function

f ( x )=e ax +b
General equation:
a>0, f ( x )=e x a<0, f ( x )=ex

BASIC f(x)
GRAPH

f(x)=ex

1 - x

13
 f(x)

f(x)=e-x

1- x

DOMAI D f ={ x < x< }=( , ) Df ={ x < x< }=( , )

N

RANGE Rf ={ f ( x )0<f ( x ) < }=(0, ) Rf ={ f ( x )0<f ( x ) < }=(0, )

f. Square Root Function

f ( x )= axb
General equation:

1
a>0, b 0,
a=1,b=0, f ( x )=x 2 = x
y

x
BASIC y
GRAPH
x

Df ={ xx 0 }=
DOMAIN {
D f = x x
b
a }
=

RANGE Rf ={ f ( x )0 f ( x ) < } = Rf ={ f ( x )0 f ( x ) < } =

14
g. Reciprocal Function
1
f ( x )=
General equation: x

1 1
f ( x )= f ( x )=
x x
2

f(x) f(x)

BASIC
GRAPH
x

DOMAIN D f ={ x < x< 00< x< }=( , 0 ) (

D0,
f ={ x
) < x< 0,0< x< }=(, 0 ) (0,)

RANGE {
Rf = f ( x ) <f ( x ) <0,
0< f ( x ) < } Rf ={ f ( x )0<f ( x ) < }=(0, )
( , 0 ) (0, )

h. Absolute Value Function

f ( x )=|ax+ b|
General equation:

f ( x )=|x| f ( x )=|ax+ b|, b<0

BASIC
GRAPH

15
 f(x) f(x)

x x
b
a

DOMAIN D f ={ x < x< }=( , ) D f ={ x < x< }=( , )

Rf ={ f ( x )0 f ( x ) < }
RANGE Rf ={ f ( x )0 f ( x ) < } =

i. Piecewise Functions

Piecewise function is a function that has more than one expression for different intervals
of the domain. For example,

{x2 , x 0
f ( x )= 2 ,0 < x< 4
x , x 4
.

0 The graph of the above functions is illustrated as below.

4 From the graph

D f =( , ) , R f =

Figure 3.5

16
Example 5
State the domain for each of the following function

a) f ( x )=2 x4

2
b) f ( x )=x +3

1
f ( x )=
c) 3x

d) f ( x )= 2 x6

e) f ( x )=ln (34 x)

Solution
(a) Df= ( , )

(b) Df= ( , )

(c) 3x 0
x3

D f ={ x : x R , x 3 }

(d) 2 x 6 0
2x 6
x3

D f ={ x : x R , x 3 }

(e) 34 x >0
4 x >3
3
x<
4

{
D f = x : x R , x<
3
4 }
17
Example 6
Sketch the graph of each of the following functions. State its range.
2
a) f ( x )=x

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

d) f ( x )=( x3)2

e) f ( x )=x 2

f) f ( x )=x 2+ 4

(a) (b)

y y

f(x)=x2 f(x)=x2+1

1
x
x

The graph of f ( x )=x 2 is shifted 1 unit upwards.

Rf =
Rf =

(c) f(x)=x2+1 (d)

y y

f(x)=x2-2
f(x)=(x-3)2
x

-2 x
3

2 The graph
-2 of f ( x )=x 2 is shifted 3 units to the
The graph of f ( x )=x is shifted 2 units downwards.
right.
Rf =

18
 f(x)=(x-3)2 Rf =
(e) (f)

y x
y

f(x)=-x2+4 4

x
f(x)=-x2

f(x)=-x2
2 The graph of f ( x )=x 2 is shifted 4 units
Reflecting the graph of f ( x )=x about the x-axis.
upwards.
Rf = Rf =

Example 7
Sketch the graph of each of the following functions. State the domain and range.

a) f ( x )= x

b) f ( x )= x+ 1

c) f ( x )= x2

d) f ( x )=x
x1
()
e)
f x )=
(

(a) (b)

f ( x )= x f ( x )= x+ 1

19
 y y

x x
-1

f ( x )= x+ 1 is only defined if x+ 1 0
Df = x 1
that is
R= f

Df =
0,
Rf =

(c) (d)

f ( x )= x2 f ( x )=x

y y

x x
2

f ( x )= x2 is only defined if x2 0
f ( x )=x is only defined if x 0
that is x2
that is x0

Df =
Df =
R= f
R=
f

(e) f ( x )=( x1)

20
 y

x
1

f ( x )=( x1) is only defined if

(x1) 0 that is x1

Df =
R= f

Example 8
For each of the given function:

a) f ( x )=3 x +2

b) f ( x )=2 x 2+ 4

c) f ( x )=3 x 3

d) f ( x )=ln ( x +2 )

e) f ( x )=4

i) Sketch the graph.

ii) Find the domain and range.

Solution

a) f ( x )=3 x +2

i) Since the function is linear, the domain of this function follows the standard
domain of linear function:

21
 Df x | x
Rf ={ f ( x ) < f ( x ) < }
,
(0,2)
ii) y- intercept:

f(0) = 3(0) + 2 = 2

b) Since the function is quadratic, the domain of this function follows the standard
domain of quadratic:

Df x | x

f ( 0 )=2(0)2 +4=4 (0, 4)

Rf ={ f ( x )4 f ( x ) < }

c) f ( x )=3 x 3

i) Since the function is a cubic function, domain and range of this function follow
the standard domain and range of cubic function:

Df x | x
R f f | f x

ii) f(1) = 3(1)3 = 3

f(-1) = 3(-1)3 = -3
f(0) = 3(0)3 = 0

22
 f x ln x 2
d)

i) x+2>0

x > -2
Df x | x 2
-2
R f f | f x

ii) Asymptote line: x = -2

y-intercept: f(0) = ln 2

e) f ( x )=4

Since the function is linear (constant), the domain of this function follows the
standard domain of linear function:

Df x | x
Rf ={ f ( x )f ( x )=4 } (0, 4)
,

Example 9

Determine the domain and range for each of the following square root functions below.

a) b)

y y

5 2 x x

x
0 0
c) d)
y y

2 6 x
-7 0
23

0
 Solution

Domain , Df =[ 5, ) Range , R f =
a) ,

b)
Domain , Df =(, 2 ] , Range , R f = [ 0, )

Domain , Df =[ 0, ) , Range , R f =
c)

Domain , Df =[ 2,6 ) , Range , R f =

d)

Example 10

{
3x , x<2
f f ( x )= 2 , x=2
The function is defined as
x , x> 2

a) Evaluate f ( 0 ) , f ( 3 ) , f (4 ) .

b) State the domain and range.

Solution

24
 f(x)
5

x
-1 1 2 3 4

a) For x=0 , use f ( x )=3x to find the value of f , thus f ( 0 )=30=3 .

For x=3 , use f ( x )=x to find the value of f , thus f ( 3 ) =3 .

For x=4 , use f ( x )=3x to find the value of f , thus

f (4 )=3(4 )=7 .

b)
D f =( , ) , Rf =(1, )

Exercise 3.2

1. Use the graph of the function f given below to answer parts (a) (n).

25
 6
5 5
4
3 3 3
2
1 1
0 0 0 0
-8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-1
-2 -2 -2
-3 -3
-4

a) Find f(2) and f(-6).

b) Find f at 0.
c) Is f(x) positive or negative at x = 7?
d) Is f(-1) positive or negative?
e) For what numbers x is f(x) = 0?
f) For what numbers x is f(x) > 0?
g) What is the domain of f(x) (in interval form)?
h) What is the range of f(x) (in interval form)?
i) What are the x-intercepts?
j) What are the y-intercepts?
k) How often the line y = 1 intersect the graph?
l) How often the line x = 8 intersect the graph?
m) For what values of x does f(x) = 3?
n) For what values of x does f(x) = -2

2. State the domain for each of the following functions:

a)
f ( x )=ln ( 3 x2+2 )
b) f ( x )=63(x +2)

c) f ( x )=4 x 21

3
2x
d) f ( x )=
3

26
e) f ( x )= 2 x5

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

g) f ( x )=3 e x

h) f ( x )=|4 x1|

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

2x
g (x )=
j) x 24

k) h ( x )= 23 x

l) F ( x )=ln ( 3 x)

3. Given the graphs of the following functions, state the domain and range.
a) g ( x ) =2+ x2 + x b) g ( x ) =5 x 3 +2

2
(-1/2 , 7/4)

1
c)
g ( x ) =3 ( x +2 ) ( 43 x ) d) g ( x ) =ln ( 1+ 5 x )
2

4 1

1/5

27
4. Identify the type of function from the following graphs and state the domain and range of the
function.
y
a) y b)

h(x)
h(x)
x 1/8
20 2
x
-2 0 1/2

y
c)
h(x)

x
1 2

5. Sketch the graph for each of the following functions. Thus, determine the range of each
function.

{
2
f ( x )= x + 1if x <2
a) x +3 if x 2

28
 {
1
if x <0
f ( x )= x
b)
ex if x 0

{
1 if x <1
f ( x )= 1if 1 x 1
c)
x if x >1

{
2
x if 1< x <2
f ( x )= 6 if x=2
d)
10x if x> 2x <1

6. Refer Foundation Mathematics I Workbook:

Page 5, No. 3, 4

3.3 ALGEBRAIC OPERATIONS OF FUNCTIONS

Let f(x) and g(x) be two functions. The sum, difference, product and quotient of the two
functions f(x) and g(x) can be defined as follows:

a) (f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x)

b) (f g)(x) = f(x) g(x)
c) (f.g)(x) = f(x).g(x)
f f( x)
( x ) ; g( x ) 0
g g( x )
d)

Example 11

a) Let f(x) = 5 + 3x and g(x) = 2x + 3, be two functions. Find:

i) (f + g)(x)
ii) (f g)(x)
iii) (f.g)(x)
f
( x )
g
iv)

Solution
i) (f + g)(x) = (5 + 3x) + (2x + 3)

29
 = 8 + 5x

ii) (f g)(x) = (5 + 3x) (2x + 3)

= 5 + 3x 2x 3
=2+x

iii) (f.g)(x) = (5 + 3x)(2x+ 3)

= 10x + 6x2 + 9x + 15
= 6x2 + 19x + 15

f 5 3x 3
( x ) ; 2x 3 0; x
g 2x 3 2
iv)

f (x) 1 x and g( x ) 2 x 2
b) Let , find:
i) (f + g)(x)
ii) (f g)(x)
iii) (f.g)(x)
f
( x )
g
iv)
Solution

1 x 2 x2
i) (f + g)(x) =

1 x (2 x 2 )
ii) (f g)(x) =
1 x 2 x2
=

( 1 x )(2 x 2 )
iii) (f.g)(x) =
2 1 x x2 1 x
=

f 1 x
( x ) ; 2 x 2 0; x 2, x 1
g 2 x2
iv)

c) Function f and g are defined as:

30
 1
f:x ; x 1
x 1
g : x 5x 1

Evaluate
i) (f + g)(4)
ii) (f g)(-8)
1
( f g)
3
iii)
f
(0 )
g
iv)

Solution

1
5x 1
x 1
i) (f + g)(x) =

1
5( 4 ) 1
4 1
(f + g)(4) =
1
19
5
=
96
5
=

1
5x 1
x 1
ii) (f g)(x) =

1
5( 8 ) 1
8 1
(f g)(-8) =

1
41
7
=
1
41
7
=

31
 288
7
=
1
5x 1
x 1
iii) (f . g)(x) =


1 1 5 1 1
( f g)
3 1 3
1
3

1 5
1
4 3

3
=
3 2

4 3
=
= 1/2

1
f
( x ) x 1
g 5x 1
iv)
1
f
(0) 0 1
g 5(0) 1

1

1

1

1

=1

3.4 COMPOSITE FUNCTIONS

Definition

32
 f ( x) g (x) . ( f g)( x ) fg( x ) f g( x )
Consider two functions and We define ,read

as f compose on g. This means that the output values of the function g are used as

the input values for the function f.

g f
x g( x) fg( x )

( f g)( x )
Figure 3.6

( f g )( x ) ( f g )( x ),
Note : as that would mean multiply.
When evaluating functions, it is important to substitute in the order specified.
(g f )( x ) ( f g)( x )

f
g
x f ( x) gf (x)

(g f )( x )

Figure 3.7

Example 12

If f ( x )=3 x +1 and g ( x ) =x2 ,

( f g)( x ) (g f )( x )
a) find , .
( f g)(4) (g f )(1/ 3 )
b) hence evaluate and .

Solution :

a) ( fg ) ( x )=f [ g ( x ) ] ( gf ) ( x)=g [ f (x) ]

33
 x2 g(3 x+ 1)
= f ) =

= 3 ( x 2) + 1 = (3 x+1)2

= 3 x2 +1

(g f )(1/ 3) (3(1/ 3) 1
2
( f g)(4) 3( 4 2 ) 1
b)
= 49 = 22
=4
Example 13

The functions f and g are defined by ,

f ( x )=1+2 x for { x R , x 0 }

1
g (x )= for { x R , x >1 }
x +1

( g f )(x )
a) Find the expression for
( f g)(x )
b) Find the expression for

Solution:

g f g f (x) f g f g (x)
a) b)
1
g (1+2 x) f
x 1
=

1 1
1 2
1 2x 1 x 1
= =
1 x3
2x 2 x 1
= =

34
Example 14

Functions f and g are as sets of ordered pairs.

f ={ (2,1 ) , ( 0,4 ) ,(5,6)}

g= { (1,2 ) , ( 4,4 ) ,(6,9) }

Find the composite function ( gf ) ( x) .

Solution:

-2 1 2
0 4 4
5 6 9

(g f )( x )
(g f )( x ) (g f )( x ) ( 2,2), (0,4), (5,9)
Hence, is given by .

Example 15

5
f ( x) 2 x 3, g ( x)
x h( x ) 1 x 2 ( f g h)( x).
Given and . Find

Solution :

( f g h)( x) f g (1 x 2 )

5
f 2
1 x
=
5 13 3 x 2
2 2
3
1 x 1 x2 x 1
= = ;

Example 16

35
 5
f ( x ) 4 x, g( x ) , x 1
f,g h x 1
The functions and are defined by and
h( x ) 4 x 1.

g 2 ( x).
a) Find the expression for
f 2 ( x) x.
b) Show that
h 2 ( x ) x.
c) Solve the equation

Solution :

g 2 ( x ) g g ( x) 2
g (x) [ g (x) ]
2

a) Note:

5
g
x 1
=
5
5
1
x 1
=
5
6 x
x 1
=
5x 5
; x 6.
6 x
=

f 2 ( x ) f f ( x ) 2
ff ( x ) =f (x )
b) Note:

f (4 x)
=
4 (4 x)
=
= x shown

h 2 ( x) h h( x )
c)

36
 h( 4 x 1 )
4( 4 x 1 ) 1
16 x 5

Therefore,
16 x 5 x
15 x 5
1
x
3

Example 17
g f.
f ( x )=e 2 x g ( x ) = x
Given the functions and , find the composite function
Solution
g f ( x ) g f ( x )

=g(e2x)

=
e2 x ,

=ex

Exercise 3.3

( f g )( x) f (1,6), (4,7), (5,0)

1. Find the composite function given that and
g (6,1), (7,4), (0,5)
.

f ( x) 3 x g ( x) 1 x. x
2. Given that and Find, as a function of ,
a) (f + g)(x) b) (f g)(x)

c) (f.g)(x) d) ( gf )( x)
e) ( g f )(x ) f) ( f g ) (x )

f ( x) x 2 x g ( x) 2 x 3 x
3. Consider the function for and for . Find
a) (f + g)(x) b) (f g)(x)

c) (f.g)(x) d) ( gf )( x)
e) ( g f )(x ) f) ( f g ) (x )

37
 f ( x) ax b g ( x) bx a a b
4. Given that and where and are constants. Find a
a b ( f g ) ( x ) =( g f ) ( x )
relation between and for which .

f ( x) x 2 1 g ( x) 2 x 1
5. If and , find
a) (f + g)(x) b) (f g)(x)

c) (f.g)(x) d) ( gf )( x)
e) ( g f )(x ) f) ( f g ) (x )
g) (f + g)(5) h) (f g)(5)

i) (f.g)(5) j) ( gf )(5)
k) ( g f ) (5) l) ( f g ) (5)

6. Refer Foundation Mathematics I Workbook:

Page 6, No. 2, 7, 9

3.5 INVERSE FUNCTION

f
f-1Suppose we have function defined by a set of ordered pairs (x, y) where y = f(x).

X Y
x y = f(x)

Domain of f Range of f
(Range of f-1) (Domain of f-1)

38
 Figure 3.8

This means that f matches each element of X to exactly one y, and f -1 matches those
same elements of Y back to the original values of X. If the function f defined by ordered
pairs (x, y), the function f-1 is defined by (y, x). f has an inverse function if and only if f is
one-to-one function. The standard notation for inverse f is f-1.

The function f-1 with domain R and range D is the inverse of f if

f 1 f ( x) x , x D

f f 1 ( y ) y , y R

1 1
Note:
f
f

One-to-one function

f (x 1 ) f (x 2 )
Function f is said to be one-to-one function if and are equal implies x1 = x2
and vice versa. Horizontal line test also can be used to determine whether a function is
one-to-one function.

Horizontal line test: A function has an inverse if and only if no horizontal line intersects
the graph at more than one point.

Example 18

Determine whether the following functions are one-to-one:

f ( x) 3 x 2
i)
f (x) x 2 5
ii)
1
f (x)
x 1
iii)

Solution:

f ( x) 3 x 2
i)
Method 1:

39
 f ( x1 ) f ( x 2 )
3 x1 2 3 x 2 2
3 x1 3 x 2
x1 x 2

f (x )
is one-to-one function.

Method 2:
Besides the method above, the horizontal line test also can be used to determine
whether the function is one-to-one.
y f(x)=3x+2

8
f(x) = 3x + 2
6

f(x) = a The horizontal line, f(x) = a,

4
(-< a <), intersects the
2 graph at one point. Thus,
x f ( x) 3 x 2
-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8
is one-to-one
-2
function.
-4

-6

-8

f (x) x 2 5
ii)
Method 1:
f ( x1 ) f ( x 2 )
x12 5 x 2 2 5
2 2
x1 x 2
x1 x 2

f (x )
is not one-to-one function.

40
 Method 2:
x2 5
f(x)
y = f(x)=x^2-5

The horizontal line, f(x) = a,

4 f(x) = a
(-< a <),intersects the graph
2
at more than one point. Thus,
x
-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 f (x) x 2 5
-2 is not one-to-one
-4
function.
-6

-8

1
f (x)
x 1
iii)
Method 1:
f ( x1 ) f ( x 2 )
1 1

x1 1 x 2 1
x1 1 x 2 1
x1 x 2

f (x )
is one-to-one function.

Method 2:
1
x 1
f(x) =

41
 y f(x)=1/(x+1)

6
f(x) = a
4

2 The horizontal line, f(x) = a,

x (-< a <), intersects the graph
-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8
1
-2 f (x)
x 1
-4
at one point. Thus, is
-6 one-to-one function.
-8

Finding the inverse function

Procedure:
Step 1: Write down the equation y = f(x)
Step 2: Express x as a function of y.
x f 1(y )
Step 3: The resulting equation will be .
x f 1 (y) y f 1 (x )
Step 4: Interchange x and y in the equation to obtain .

The relationship between the domain and range of f and f-1 are:

Domain of f-1 = range of f

Range of f-1 = domain of f

The graph of inverse function is the reflection of f about the line y = x. Below are the
examples of graphs function f and f-1.

y=x
y=x

Figure 3.9

42
Example 19

f ( x ) 2x 2 8, x 0 f 1.
Find the inverse of and state the domain of

Solution:
f ( x ) 2x 2 8
y
8

2
x
1 2 3 4 5

-2

-4

-6

-8

By using horizontal line test, f is a one-one function.

Following the procedure, first write the equation as y = f(x).
y f (x)

y 2x 2 8

Then express x as a function of y.

y 8 2x 2
y8
x2
2
y8
x , ( x 0) x f 1 ( y )
2

x8
f 1 ( x )
2

f ( x ) 2x 2 8 [0, )
-1
The domain of f is the range of f. The domain of is and its range is
[ 8, ) [ 8, )
-1
. Thus the domain of f is .

Note: The graph is an alternative method to find the domain.

43
 y
8 f
6

4
f-1
2
x
-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

-2

-4

-6
y=x
-8

Example 20

Find the inverse of the following functions and state the domain and range of f-1:
f ( x) x 6

Solution:
f ( x) x 6

let y x6
y2 x 6
x y2 6
f 1( x) x 2 6

f 1(x ) f 1(x ) [6, )

Domain of is [0, ) and range of is .
f(x)
10

2
x
2 4 6 8 10

Example 21

44
 x2
f ( x)
3x 7
Find the inverse of
.
Solution
x2
f ( x)
3x 7

x2
y
3x 7
y (3 x 7 ) x 2
3 xy 7 y x 2
3 xy x 2 7 y
x (3 y 1) 2 7 y
2 7y
x
3y 1
2 7x 1
f 1( x) , x
3x 1 3

Example 22

2 7x
f 1( x ) .
3x 1 f 1(2).
Given Find

Solution:

2 7x
f 1 ( x)
3x 1
2 7(2)
f 1 (2)
3(2) 1
16

5

Exercise 3.4

1. Which of the following functions are one-to-one?

a) {(1, 2), (2, 3), (3, 6), (4, 2)}
b) {(1, b), (2, a), (3, d), (4, c)}
c) {(-2, 2), (-1, 3), (0, 4), (1, 5), (2, 1)}
d) {(a, 1), (b, 2), (c, 3), (d, 2)}

2. Determine whether the following graphs are one-to-one functions.

45
 a) b)

c) d)

e) f)

3. Determine whether the following functions are one-to-one function.

f ( x) x 5
a)
2x
f ( x)
x 1
b)
f (x) 4 x 2
c)

46
 f ( x) x 5x 2 , x 1
d)
f ( x) ( x 1) 2 2 , x 1
e)
4
f (x) 5
x
f)

4. Find the expression for f-1 .

x
f ( x)
5x 4 f ( x) ( x 7) 4 , x 7
a) b)
3
f (x) 2 , x 0
x f ( x) 5 2x 4
c) d)
2x 1
f ( x)
x f ( x ) 3 2x 1
e) f)

5. Find the expression for f-1 and state the domain and range.

f ( x) 3x 2 f ( x ) 2x 3 5
a) b)
f ( x) x 8 f ( x) 6 7 x
c) d)
2
f ( x) 4 x x , x 2 f (x) x 9
d) f)

f ( x ) 2x 2 3; x 0. f 1 ( x ) 1.
6. Let Find x if
2x
f ( x) .
x 1 f 1 ( x ) 2.
7. Let Find x if
3
f ( x) .
x5 f 1
8. Given a function Show that f is one-to-one and find .
9. Refer Foundation Mathematics I Workbook:
Page 9, No. 7, 8, 9, 10

SELECTED EXERCISE 3

2 x+ 3
1. Consider the functions
f ( x ) = ; x 1 and g ( x ) = .
x+1 2

47
 i) Show that f (x) is a one-one function. Hence, determine the inverse of

f ( x) .

ii) Find ( g f ) (x) .

1
iii) Sketch the graph
.
x

2. Functions f and g are defined by f ( x )=2 x1 and g ( x ) = x . Find

i) f g ( x ) and hence evaluate f g ( 4 ) .

ii) (f g)l

iii) values of x if f 2 ( x )=x 2

3. Given that f ( x )= 2 x1 and ( x )=2 x 24 x3 . Find

i) the domain and range for f (x) .

ii) f 1 (x ) .

iii) ( g f ) (x)

4. Given f ( x )= x 2+ 2 x , find:
1
i)
f ( 1 ) , f
2()
, f (1)

ii) the domain of f (x) .

5. Let f ( x )=2 x+ 3 and ( x )= x1 . Find

f
a) The domain of i) ii) gf
g

48
 f
b) The value of i)
(2)
ii) (g f )(1)
g

6. Functions f and g are defined by f : x x and g : x x 29

a) State the domain and range of f and g .

b) Find the composite function ( g f ) ( x) .

x +1 4 x3 5
7. Given that
f : x 4x , g : x ; x 2, and h: x ; x .
x2 3 x +5 3

Find ( f g h ) (x) .

8. Find the natural domain of the following function: H ( x )= 2 x 2+5 x3 .

9. Given that f ( x )=3 x 23 and g ( x ) =x3 2 x

g ( x)
a) Find f ( x) and state its domain.

b) Find f 1 ( x ) if it exists and explain your answer.

1+ x
f ( x )=2+
10. Find the domain of 9x 2 .

49