1.6 Inverse Functions and Logarithms FUNCTIONS AND MODELS 1.6 Inverse Functions and Logarithms REVISIT OBJECTIVE. In this section, we will learn about: Inverse functions and logarithms.

INVERSE FUNCTIONS The table gives data from an experiment in which a bacteria culture started with 100 bacteria in a limited nutrient medium. The size of the bacteria population was recorded at hourly intervals. The number of bacteria N is a function of the time t: N = f(t).

In other words, she is thinking of t as a function of N. INVERSE FUNCTIONS However, suppose that the biologist changes her point of view and becomes interested in the time required for the population to reach various levels. In other words, she is thinking of t as a function of N. This function is called the inverse function of f. It is denoted by f -1 and read “f inverse.”

INVERSE FUNCTIONS Thus, t = f -1(N) is the time required for the population level to reach N. The values of f -1 can be found by reading the first table from right to left or by consulting the second table. For instance, f -1(550) = 6, because f(6) = 550.

Not all functions possess inverses. INVERSE FUNCTIONS Not all functions possess inverses. Let’s compare the functions f and g whose arrow diagrams are shown.

Note that f never takes on the same value twice. INVERSE FUNCTIONS Note that f never takes on the same value twice. Any two inputs in A have different outputs. However, g does take on the same value twice.

In symbols, g(2) = g(3) but f(x1) ≠ f(x2) whenever x1 ≠ x2 INVERSE FUNCTIONS In symbols, g(2) = g(3) but f(x1) ≠ f(x2) whenever x1 ≠ x2 Functions that share this property with f are called one-to-one functions.

That is, f(x1) ≠ f(x2) whenever x1 ≠ x2 ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS Definition 1 A function f is called a one-to-one function if it never takes on the same value twice. That is, f(x1) ≠ f(x2) whenever x1 ≠ x2

ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS If a horizontal line intersects the graph of f in more than one point, then we see from the figure that there are numbers x1and x2 such that f(x1) = f(x2). This means f is not one-to-one. HORIZONTAL LINE TEST

Is the function f(x) = x3 one-to-one? ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS Example 1 Is the function f(x) = x3 one-to-one? If x1 ≠ x2, then x13 ≠ x23. Two different numbers can’t have the same cube. So, by Definition 1, f(x) = x3 is one-to-one. From the figure, we see that no horizontal line intersects the graph of f(x) = x3 more than once.

ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS Example 2 Is the function g(x) = x2 one-to-one? The function is not one-to-one. This is because, for instance, g(1) = 1 = g(-1) and so 1 and -1 have the same output. From the figure, we see that no horizontal line intersects the graph of f(x) = x3 more than once.

ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS Definition 2 Let f be a one-to-one function with domain A and range B. Then, its inverse function f -1 has domain B and range A and is defined by for any y in B. Do not mistake the -1 in f -1 for an exponent. Thus, f -1(x) does not mean .

ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS Example 3 This diagram makes it clear how f -1 reverses the effect of f in this case.

Now, let’s see how to compute inverse functions. If we have a function y = f(x) and are able to solve this equation for x in terms of y, then, according to Definition 2, we must have x = f -1(y). If we want to call the independent variable x, we then interchange x and y and arrive at the equation y = f -1(x).

Now, let’s see how to find the inverse INVERSE FUNCTIONS Definition 5 Now, let’s see how to find the inverse function of a one-to-one function f. Write y = f(x). Solve this equation for x in terms of y (if possible). To express f -1 as a function of x, interchange x and y. The resulting equation is y = f -1(x).

Find the inverse function of f(x) = x3 + 2. INVERSE FUNCTIONS Example 4 Find the inverse function of f(x) = x3 + 2. By Definition 5, we first write: y = x3 + 2. Then, we solve this equation for x : Finally, we interchange x and y : So, the inverse function is:

Thus, the graph of f -1 is obtained by INVERSE FUNCTIONS Thus, the graph of f -1 is obtained by reflecting the graph of f about the line y = x.

and its inverse function using the same coordinate axes. INVERSE FUNCTIONS Example 5 Sketch the graphs of and its inverse function using the same coordinate axes.

First, we sketch the curve (the top half of the parabola y2 = -1 -x, INVERSE FUNCTIONS Example 5 First, we sketch the curve (the top half of the parabola y2 = -1 -x, or x = -y2 - 1). Then, we reflect about the line y = x to get the graph of f -1.

If a > 0 and a ≠ 1, the exponential function LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS If a > 0 and a ≠ 1, the exponential function f(x) = ax is either increasing or decreasing, so it is one-to-one by the Horizontal Line Test. Thus, it has an inverse function f -1, which is called the logarithmic function with base a and is denoted by loga.

Thus, if x > 0, then logax is the exponent LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS Thus, if x > 0, then logax is the exponent to which the base a must be raised to give x. For example, log100.001 = - 3 because 10-3 = 0.001

The logarithmic function loga has domain and range . LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS The logarithmic function loga has domain and range . Its graph is the reflection of the graph of y = ax about the line y = x.

The figure shows the graphs of y = logax LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS The figure shows the graphs of y = logax with various values of the base a > 1. Since loga1 = 0, the graphs of all logarithmic functions pass through the point (1, 0).

If x and y are positive numbers, then 1. 2. 3. LAWS OF LOGARITHMS If x and y are positive numbers, then 1. 2. 3.

Use the laws of logarithms to evaluate log280 - log25. Example 6 Use the laws of logarithms to evaluate log280 - log25. Using Law 2, we have because 24 = 16.

The logarithm with base e is called NATURAL LOGARITHM The logarithm with base e is called the natural logarithm and has a special notation:

Solve the equation e5 - 3x = 10. NATURAL LOGARITHMS Example 8 Solve the equation e5 - 3x = 10. We take natural logarithms of both sides of the equation and use Definition 9: As the natural logarithm is found on scientific calculators, we can approximate the solution— to four decimal places: x ≈ 0.8991

Express as a single logarithm. NATURAL LOGARITHMS Example 9 Using Laws 3 and 1 of logarithms, we have:

For any positive number a (a ≠ 1), we have: CHANGE OF BASE FORMULA Formula 10 For any positive number a (a ≠ 1), we have:

Evaluate log8 5 correct to six decimal places. NATURAL LOGARITHMS Example 10 Evaluate log8 5 correct to six decimal places. Formula 10 gives:

Sketch the graph of the function y = ln(x - 2) -1. NATURAL LOGARITHMS Example 11 Sketch the graph of the function y = ln(x - 2) -1. We start with the graph of y = ln x.

NATURAL LOGARITHMS Example 11 Using the transformations of Section 1.3, we shift it 2 units to the right—to get the graph of y = ln(x - 2).

NATURAL LOGARITHMS Example 11 Then, we shift it 1 unit downward—to get the graph of y = ln(x - 2) -1.

Here, you can see that the sine function y = sin x is not one-to-one. INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS Here, you can see that the sine function y = sin x is not one-to-one. Use the Horizontal Line Test.

However, here, you can see that the function f(x) = sin x, , INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS However, here, you can see that the function f(x) = sin x, , is one-to-one.

INVERSE SINE FUNCTIONS The inverse sine function, denoted by sin-1 or arcsin, has domain [-1, 1] and range . Its graph is shown.

The inverse cosine function is handled similarly. INVERSE COSINE FUNCTIONS The inverse cosine function is handled similarly. The restricted cosine function f(x) = cos x, 0 ≤ x ≤ π, is one-to-one. So, it has an inverse function denoted by cos-1 or arccos. The inverse cosine function,cos-1, has domain [-1, 1] and range . Its graph is shown.

The tangent function can be made INVERSE TANGENT FUNCTIONS The tangent function can be made one-to-one by restricting it to the interval .

Thus, the inverse tangent function is defined as INVERSE TANGENT FUNCTIONS Thus, the inverse tangent function is defined as the inverse of the function f(x) = tan x, . It is denoted by tan-1 or arctan.

The inverse tangent function, tan-1 = arctan, has domain and range . INVERSE TANGENT FUNCTIONS The inverse tangent function, tan-1 = arctan, has domain and range . Its graph is shown.