1. Inverse Functions
Inverse Functions

2. Functions
Imagine functions are like the dye you use to color eggs. The white egg (x) is put in the function blue dye B(x) and the result is a blue egg (y).

3. The Inverse Function “undoes” what the function does.
The Inverse Function of the BLUE dye is bleach.
The Bleach will “undye” the blue egg and make it white.

4. For example, let’s take a look at the square function: f(x) = x2
In the same way, the inverse of a given function will “undo” what the original function did.
For example, let’s take a look at the square function: f(x) = x2 x
f(x) y
f--1(x) 9 3 3 9 9 3 3 9 9 3 3 9 9 3 3 x2 9 9 3 3 9 9 9 3 3 3 9 9

5. For example, let’s take a look at the square function: f(x) = x2
In the same way, the inverse of a given function will “undo” what the original function did.
For example, let’s take a look at the square function: f(x) = x2 x y
f--1(x)
f(x) 5 25 5 5 5 25 25 5 5 25 25 5 5 x2 25 5 5 25 5 25 25 5 25 5 5 5

6. For example, let’s take a look at the square function: f(x) = x2
In the same way, the inverse of a given function will “undo” what the original function did.
For example, let’s take a look at the square function: f(x) = x2 x
f(x) y
f--1(x) 11
121 11 11 11
121
121 11 11
121
121 11 11 x2
121
121
121 11 11
121
121 11 11
121
121
121 11
121 11

7. Graphically, the x and y values of a point are switched.
The point (4, 7)
has an inverse point of (7, 4)
AND
The point (-5, 3)
has an inverse point of (3, -5)

8. Graphically, the x and y values of a point are switched.
If the function y = g(x) contains the points x 1 2 3 4 y 8 16
then its inverse, y = g-1(x), contains the points x 1 2 4 8 16 y 3
Where is there a line of reflection?

9. y = f(x)
y = x
The graph of a function and its inverse are mirror images about the line
y = f-1(x)
y = x

10. Find the inverse of a function :
Example 1: y = 6x - 12
Step 1: Switch x and y:
x = 6y - 12
Step 2: Solve for y:

11. Example 2: Given the function : y = 3x2 + 2 find the inverse:
Step 1: Switch x and y:
x = 3y2 + 2
Step 2: Solve for y: