ONE-TO-ONE

&
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N S
ONE-TO-ONE
F U N C T I O N
ONE-TO-ONE
F U N C T I O N

Determine if the set of points is a one-to-one function or not.

f = {(1, 1), (3, 3), (1, -1)} many-to-one function

g = {(-1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1)} one-to-one function

h = {(-1, -1), (0, 0), (1, 1)} not a function

ONE-TO-ONE
F U N C T I O N

Which of the following is a one-to-one function?

X Y X Y X Y

1 1 1 1
2 1 1 2 2 2
3 3 3 3

many-to-one one-to-many one-to-one

function (not a function) function
ONE-TO-ONE
F U N C T I O N

Determine if the graph is a one-to-one function or not.

y y y

x x

many-to-one one-to-one not a

function function function
ONE-TO-ONE
F U N C T I O N

The Horizontal Line Test

These following are graphs of functions. Which is/are one-to-one?
y y y

x x x

2 points 3 points 1 point

not one-to-one not one-to-one one-to-one

function function function
ONE-TO-ONE
F U N C T I O N
Definition:
A function 𝑓 is one-to-one if for every value 𝑎, 𝑏 in domain 𝑓 such
that 𝑎 ≠ 𝑏, then 𝑓(𝑎) ≠𝑓(𝑏); or otherwise, if 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑓(𝑏), then 𝑎 = 𝑏.
1) Show that 𝑓(x) = x2 + 5 is not one-to-one?
Let 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑎2 + 5 and 𝑓(𝑏) = 𝑏2 + 5
If 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑓(𝑏)
Then, 𝑎 + 5 = 𝑏 + 5
2 2 This implies that 𝑓(x) = x2 + 5 is not

one-to-one because there exist

𝑎 +5−5=𝑏 +5−5
2 2
more that one values of 𝑎 and 𝑏
𝑎2 = 𝑏2 that corresponds to 𝑓(𝑎) and 𝑓(𝑏).
𝑎 =𝑏
ONE-TO-ONE
F U N C T I O N

2) Is 𝑓(x) = x2 + 2x − 3 one-to-one?
Let 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎 − 3 and 𝑓(𝑏) = 𝑏2 + 2𝑏 − 3
If 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑓(𝑏)
Then, 𝑎2 + 2𝑎 − 3 = 𝑏2 + 2𝑏 − 3 If 𝑓(𝑎) and 𝑓(𝑏), it turns out
𝑎2 + 2𝑎 − 3 = 𝑏2 + 2𝑏 − 3 that  𝑎 =  𝑏. This means
𝑎2 = 𝑏2 that 𝑓(x) = x2 + 2x − 3 is
not one-to-one
𝑎 =𝑏
ONE-TO-ONE
F U N C T I O N
Definition:
A function 𝑓 is one-to-one if for every value 𝑎, 𝑏 in domain 𝑓 such
that 𝑎 ≠ 𝑏, then 𝑓(𝑎) ≠𝑓(𝑏); or otherwise, if 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑓(𝑏), then 𝑎 = 𝑏.
1) Show that 𝑓(x) = x2 + 5 is not one-to-one?
2) Is 𝑓(x) = x2 + 2x − 3 one-to-one?
3) What about 𝑓(x) = |x + 4|?
ONE-TO-ONE
F U N C T I O N

The following functions are examples one-to-one functions:

1
𝑓(x) = 5𝑥 − 1 𝑓(x) = 𝑥 + 2 𝑓(x) =
linear function 𝑥
square root function reciprocal function
 INVERSE
F U N C T I O N
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N
Definition:
Let f and g be two functions such that
f (g(x)) = x for every x in the domain of g
and
g (f(x)) = x for every x in the domain of f.

Under these conditions, if the function g is the inverse of the

function f and is denoted by f ̶ 1 (read “f-inverse”), the domain of f
must be equal to the range of f ̶ 1 , and the range of f must be equal
to the domain of f ̶ 1.
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N
Illustration:
A function can be represented by a set of ordered pairs. For
instance, the function f(x) = x + 3 from the set A = {1, 2, 3, 4}
to the set B = {4, 5, 6, 7} can be written as follows.

f(x) = x + 3 : {(1, 4), (2, 5), (3, 6), (4, 7)}

By interchanging the coordinates of each ordered pair, we form
the inverse function of f denoted by f ̶ 1 , and can be written as
follows.
f ̶1 (x) = x − 3 : {(4, 1), (5, 2), (6, 3), (7, 4)}
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N
Example:
Determine the inverse of the following functions:
1) f = {(1, 4), (2, 8), (3, 12), (4, 16), (5, 20)}
f -1
= ( 4, 1) , ( 8, 2 ) , (12, 3) , (16, 4 ) , ( 20, 5 )

2) g = {(−2, −2), (−1, −1), (0, 0), (1, 1), (2, 2)}
g -1 = ( -2, - 2 ) , ( -1, -1) , ( 0, 0 ) , (1, 1) , ( 2, 2 )
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N
Example:
Determine the inverse of the following functions:
  1  1  1   1 
3) h = (1, 1) ,  2,  ,  3,  ,  4,  ,  5,  
  2  3  4   5 

 1  1  1   1 
h = (1, 1) ,  , 2  ,  , 3  ,  , 4  ,  , 5  
-1

 2  3  4   5 

The inverse is obtained by interchanging the x and y-coordinates

of the ordered pairs in the indicated function.
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Examples:
x−7
Given the one-to-one functions: 𝑓(x) = 2x + 7 and g ( x) =
2
Observe f(2) and g(f(2)).
What relationship do you see?
x−7
f ( x) = 2 x + 7 g ( x) =
2
f (2) = 2(2) + 7 11 − 7
g ( f (2)) = g (11) =
f (2) = 4 + 7 4 2
f (2) = 11 g (11) =
2
g (11) = 2
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Examples:
x−7
Given the one-to-one functions: 𝑓(x) = 2x + 7 and g ( x) =
2
Observe f(2) and g(f(2)).
What relationship do you see?
x−7
f ( x) = 2 x + 7 g ( x) =
2
f (2) = 2(2) + 7 11 − 7
g ( f (2)) = g (11) =
f (2) = 4 + 7 4 2
f (2) = 11 g (11) =
2
g (11) = 2
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Verify whether the two given functions are inverses of each other.
1
1) f (x) = 3x + 6 and g ( x) = x − 2
3
f ( g ( x) ) = ? 1 
f  x − 2 = x
1  3 
f ( g ( x) ) = f  x − 2 
3 
1  1  f ( g ( x) ) = x
f  x − 2  = 3 x − 2  + 6
3  3 
1 
f  x − 2 = x − 6 + 6
3 
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Verify whether the two given functions are inverses of each other.
1
1) f (x) = 3x + 6 and g ( x) = x − 2
3
g ( f ( x)) = ?
g ( 3x + 6 ) = x
g ( f ( x) ) = g ( 3x − 6 )
1 g ( f ( x) ) = x
g ( 3x + 6 ) = (3 x + 6) − 2
3
g ( 3x + 6 ) = x + 2 − 2
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Verify whether the two given functions are inverses of each other.
1
1) f (x) = 3x + 6 and g ( x) = x − 2
3
f ( g ( x)) = g ( f ( x)) = x
✓
The two functions are inverses of each other.
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Verify whether the two given functions are inverses of each other.
2) f (x) = 4x + 2 and g(x) = 2x − 4

f ( g ( x) ) = ? g ( f ( x)) = ?
f ( g ( x) ) = f ( 2 x − 4 ) g ( f ( x) ) = g ( 4 x + 2 )

f ( 2x − 4) = 4 ( 2x − 4) + 2 g ( 4x + 2) = 2 ( 4x + 2) − 4

f ( 2 x − 4 ) = 8 x − 16 + 2 g ( 4 x + 2) = 8x + 4 − 4
f ( 2 x − 4 ) = 8 x − 14 g ( 4 x + 2) = 8x
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Verify whether the two given functions are inverses of each other.

2) f (x) = 4x + 2 and g(x) = 2x − 4

f ( 2 x − 4 ) = 8 x − 14 g ( 4 x + 2) = 8x

f ( g ( x))  g ( f ( x))  x 
The two functions are not inverses of each other.
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

2x −1
Determine the inverse of the function f ( x) =
5
2x −1
y= Change f(x) to y The inverse of the function
5 2x −1
2 y −1 y=
x= Change x to y and y to x 5
5
5 x = 2 y − 1 Multiply by 5 −1 5x + 1
is f ( x) =
5 x + 1 = 2 y Add 1 to both sides 2
5x + 1
=y Divide both sides by 2
2
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

2x −1
Determine the inverse of the function f ( x) =
5
The inverse of the function Checking:
2x −1
y= 2(3) − 1 −1 5(1) + 1
5 f (3) = f (1) =
5 2
5x + 1 6 −1 −1 5 +1
is −1
f ( x) = f (3) = f (1) =
2 5 2
f (3) = 1 f −1 (1) = 3
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Determine the inverse of the function p ( x) = 2x − 3

y = 2x − 3 Change p(x) to y The inverse of the function

x = 2y −3 2x −1
Change x to y and y to x y=
5
x2 = 2 y − 3 Square both sides of
the equation
x +2
3
x + 3 = 2y
2
Add 3 to both sides
−1
is p ( x) =
2
x +3
2
=y Divide both sides by 2
2
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Determine the inverse of the function p ( x) = 2x − 3

Note:
y = 2x − 3 Change p(x) to y
Since the function p(x)
x = 2y −3 Change x to y and y to x restricts its range to y  0,
then the domain of the
x2 = 2 y − 3 Square both sides of inverse function
the equation
−1 x 2
+3
x2 + 3 = 2 y Add 3 to both sides
p ( x) = ,
2
x +3
2
must be restricted to the
=y Divide both sides by 2
interval x  0, as well.
2
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Determine the inverse of the function p ( x) = 2x − 3

The inverse of the function Checking:

2x −1 −1 (3) 2
+3
y= p (3) =
2
5 p(6) = 2(6) − 3
−1 9+3
p (3) =
x +2
3 p (6) = 12 − 3 2
−1
is p ( x) =
12
2 p (6) = 9 −1
p (3) =
2
p(6) = 3 p −1 (3) = 6
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions

The graphs of the function f and its
inverse f ̶ 1 are related to each other y=x
in such a way that: f ̶1

• if the point (a, b) lies on the graph f

of f , then the point (b, a) must lie (b, a)
on the graph of f ̶ 1 and vice versa.

• the graph of f ̶ 1 is the reflection of (a, b)

the graph of f in the line y = x
(identity function).
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions

Examine the graph of the functions
−1 x+3
f(x) = 2x − 3 and f ( x) = (1, 2)
2
What do you observe from the −1
indicated points? (−3, 0) f (2, 1)

Notice that the x-coordinates of

the points on f are the y- f
coordinates of the points on f -1.
(0, −3)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions

Examine the graph of the functions
−1 x+3
f(x) = 2x − 3 and f ( x) = (1, 2)
2
What do you observe from the −1
indicated points? (−3, 0) f (2, 1)

Similarly, the y-coordinates of the

points on f are the x-coordinates f
of the points on f -1.
(0, −3)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions

Given the graph of the function
(−5, 3) f (0, 4)
f ( x) = 4 − x , (1, 3)
(0, 2) (3, 1)
sketch the graph of its inverse.
Solution: (2, 0) (4, 0)
Locate several points on f.
Sample points are (−5, 3), (0, 2),
(3, 1), and (4, 0). Reverse the
(3, −5)
coordinates by interchanging x
and y.
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions

Given the graph of the function
(−5, 3) f (0, 4)
f ( x) = 4 − x , (1, 3)
(0, 2) (3, 1)
sketch the graph of its inverse.
Solution: (2, 0) (4, 0)
Connect the points with a smooth
curve.

(3, −5)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions

Given the graph of the function
f
f ( x) = 4 − x ,
sketch the graph of its inverse.
Solution:
Connect the points with a smooth f -1
curve.
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions

Given the graph of the function
f
f ( x) = 4 − x ,
sketch the graph of its inverse.
Solution:
The graphs must be reflected f -1
along the graph of the function
f ( x) = x
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Solution:
First, identify the coordinates of
the endpoints of the graph of f.
The coordinates of the endpoints
are (−2, −4) and (1, 8) .
(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Solution:
Determine the domain and the
range of the function.

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Solution:
Determine the domain and the
range of the function.

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Solution:
Determine the domain and the
range of the function.

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Solution:
Determine the domain and the
range of the function.

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Dom f : -2 < x  1

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Dom f : -2 < x  1

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Dom f : -2 < x  1

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Dom f : -2 < x  1

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Dom f : -2 < x  1

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Dom f : -2 < x  1
Range f : -4 < y  8

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Dom f : -2 < x  1
Range f : -4 < y  8

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Dom f : -2 < x  1
Range f : -4 < y  8
Dom f -1 : -4 < x  8

(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph

Dom f : -2 < x  1
Range f : -4 < y  8
Dom f -1 : -4 < x  8
Range f -1 : -2 < y  1
(-2, -4)
INVERSE
F U N C T I O N

Graphs of Inverse Functions (1, 8)

Determine the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function represented by the
graph
Therefore, the domain and the
range of the inverse of the
function are

Dom f -1 : -4 < x  8
Range f -1 : -2 < y  1
(-2, -4)