General Mathematics

Quarter 1 – Module 4:
Inverse Functions
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the concepts of Inverse Functions. The scope of this module permits it to be used
in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence
of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with
the textbook you are now using.

The module is divided into four lessons, namely:

 Lesson 1 – Real-life situations using one-to-one functions
 Lesson 2 – Inverse of a one-to-one functions
 Lesson 3 – Inverse functions through its: a.) table of values, and b.) graph
 Lesson 4 - Domain and range of an inverse functions

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. represent real-life situations using one-to-one functions;
2. determine the inverse of a one-to-one functions;
3. represent an inverse function through its: a.) table of values, and b.) graph;
4. find the domain and range of an inverse function; and
identify the horizontal line test.

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. What is the inverse function of (𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1 ?

𝑥−1 𝑥+3
A. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 3
B. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 1

3 𝑥−3
C. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝑥+1
D. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 1
𝑥
2. Find the inverse of 𝑓 (𝑥) = 3
+1
𝑥
A. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) =
3
B. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 3 (𝑥 − 1)

C. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 3𝑥 D. 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1
2𝑥+1
3. What is the increase function of f (x) = ?
4𝑥−1

𝑥+1 𝑥−1 𝑥−1 𝑥+1

A. f-1 (x) = 4𝑥−2
B. f-1 (x) = 4𝑥+2
C. f-1 (x) = 𝑥−2
D. f-1 (x) = 𝑥−2

2𝑥+1
4. What is the inverse of the rational function f (x) = 3𝑥−4
?
4𝑥+1 4𝑥−1 3𝑥−2 3𝑥+2
A. f-1 (x) = 3𝑥−2
B. f-1 (x) = 3𝑥+2
C. f-1 (x) = 4𝑥+1 D. f-1 (x) = 4𝑥−1

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 5. What is the inverse function of the given one-to-one function?
1
f (x) = 2 + 4

A. f-1 (x) = 8x-2 B. f-1 (x) = 2x+8 C. f-1 (x) = 4x-8 D. f-1 (x) = 2x-8
6. Which of the following is the inverse relation to the set of ordered pairs {(–10, 5),
(–7, 9), (0, 6), (8, –12)}?
A. {(5, –10), (9, –7), (6, 0), (–12, 8)}
B. {(10, –5), (7, –9), (0, –6), (–8, 12)}
C. {(–10, –5), (–7, –9), (0, –6), (8, 12)}
D. {(–5, 10), (–9, 7), (–6, 0), (12, –8)}
7. Which of the following is the inverse to the function “Multiply by 8, then subtract
10”?
A. Add 10, then divide by 8
B. Divide by 8, then add 10
C. Subtract 10, then multiply by 8
D. Multiply by 10, then subtract 8
8. What domain value will correspond to the range value of -2? {(-2,4), (-1,2), (0,2),
(2,0), (2,5)} ?
A. -2 B. 0 C. 2 D. 4
𝑓(𝑥)
9. Given: f(x) = x + 3 and g(x) = x – 4. What is the domain of g(x) =
2 ?
𝑔(𝑥)
A. x € R B. x ≠ -3 C. x ≠ 4 D. x ≠ 2, x ≠ -2
10. Let g(x) =5x−4. Find the domain of g.
A. (−∞,4)∪(4,∞) C. (−∞,−4)∪(−4,∞)
B. [4,∞) D. (−∞,∞)
𝑥−8
11. Which of the following is the equation of the inverse function of f(x) = 7
?
A. f -1 (x) = 7x + 8 C. f -1 = 7x + 56
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B. f -1 (x) = 8x + 7 D. f -1 = 𝑥 + 8
12. If ƒ(x) = -2x+8, then f -1 (1)
A. 9/2 C. 7/2
B. 2/9 D. 0

Lesson Representing Real-life

1 Situations Using
One-to-One Functions

What’s In

In the previous lesson, we were concerned with rational functions, rational

equations, and rational inequalities. In this topic, we will discuss one-to-one functions
which be applied to some situations for long life learning.
Look for a partner. Determine whether the given relation is a function, if it is a
function, determine whether it is one-to-one.
1. The relation pairing an SSS member to his or her SSS number
2. The relation pairing a real number to its square
3. The relation pairing a person to his or her citizenship

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 What’s New

DEFINITION:
The function f is one-to-one if for any x1 , x2 , in the domain of f, then f (x) ≠ f (x2),
That is, the same y-value is never paired with two different x-values.

In example no. 1, the relation is a function and it is one-to-one because each

member has a unique SSS number.
In example no. 2, the relation is a function but it is not one-to-one because
squaring a negative and squaring a positive will get the same answer.
In example no. 3, the relation is not a function because a person can have dual
citizenship.

What I Have Learned

1. If a relation is given as an equation, and the substitution of any value for x results
in one and only one value for y, then the relation is a function.

What I Can Do

Seatwork 1. Give 3 examples of situations that can be represented as a one-

to-one function and two examples of situations that are not one-
to-one.
Seatwork 2. Choose a situation or scenario that can be represented as a one-
to-one function and explain why it is important that the function
in that scenario is one-to-one.

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 Assessment

Determine whether the given relation is a function, if it is a function, determine

whether it is one-to-one.
1. The relation pairing an airport to its airport code.
2. The relation pairing a distance (in kilometers) traveled along a given jeepney route
to the jeepney fare for travelling that distance.
3. The relation pairing a GCash number to his or her Makatizen card.

Additional Activities

Group the class into pairs and have them perform the following activity:
Each pair is tasked to coordinate an engineering team based in the United States
who uses English units of measurement with an engineering team in the Philippines
using SI units. The two engineering teams are tasked with designing and constructing
an engine for a motorcycle that can be used underwater. Listed below are the conversion
factors:

English unit SI unit English unit SI unit

1 pound-force 4,448 Newtons 1 newton 0.2248 pounds-force

1 foot 0.3048 meters 1 meter 3.281 feet
1 mile 1.609 kilometers 1 kilometer 0.6214 miles
1 gallon 3. 785 liters 1 liter 0.2642 gallons

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 Lesson
Finding the Inverse of a
2 One-to-One Function

What’s In

The operations of + and - , x and ÷, squaring and finding the square root, are
inverse operations as one undoes what other does.

For example, x+3-3=x, x × 3 ÷ 3 = x, and √82 = 8.

𝑥−3
The function y=2x+3 can be “undone” by its inverse function 𝑦 = 2

We can think of this as two machines. If the machines are inverses, then the second
machine undoes what the first machine does.
No matter what value of x enters the first machine, it is returned as the output from the
second machine.

What’s New

DEFINITION:

Let f be a one-to-one function with domain A and range B. Then the inverse of f,
denoted f-1 , is a function with domain B and range A defined by f-1 (y) = x if and only
f(x) = y for any y in B.

To determine the inverse of a function from its equation

In light of the definition, the inverse of a one-to-one function can be interpreted
as the same function but in the opposite direction, that is, it is a function from a y-
value back to its corresponding x-value.

To find the inverse of a one-to-one function:

a.) Write the function in the form y=f(x);
b.) Interchange the x and y variables; and
c.) Solve for y in terms of x.

This is because we are interchanging the input and output values of a function.
For next examples, we shall use the definition of the inverse to verify our answers.

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EXAMPLE 1. Find the inverse of f(x) = 3x+1.
SOLUTION. The equation of the function is y=3x+1.
Interchange the x and y variables: x=3y+1
Solve for y in terms of x.
𝑥−1 𝑥−1
 x = 3y + 1 * x - 1=3y * =𝑦→𝑦=
3 3
𝑥−1
Therefore the inverse of f(x)=3x + 1 is f-1 (x) = 3

EXAMPLE 2. Find the inverse of g(x) = x3 – 2.

SOLUTION. The equation of the function is y=x3-2.
Interchange the x and y variables: x=y3-2.
Solve for y items of x:

 * 3√𝑥 3
x = y3 – 2 * x+2 = y3 + 2 = 𝑦 → 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 2
3
The inverse of g(x) = x3 – 2 is g-1 (x) = √𝑥 + 2

2𝑥+1
EXAMPLE 3. Find the inverse of the rational function f(x) = 3𝑥−4
2𝑥+1
SOLUTION. The equation of the function is y = 3𝑥−4
2𝑦+1
Interchange the x and y variables: x = 3𝑦−4

Solve for y in terms of x:

2𝑦+1
 x= * x(3y-4) = 2y+1 * 3xy – 4x = 2y+1 * 3xy – 2y = 4x+1
3𝑦−4
(Place all terms with y one side and those without y on the other side.)
4𝑥+1
y(3x-2) = 4x+1 y= 3𝑥−2
4𝑥+1
Therefore, the inverse of f(x) is f-1(x) = 3𝑥−2

What is It

A function has an inverse if and only if it is one-to-one.

As shown earlier, “inverting” the x and y values of a function results in a function if
and only if the original function is one-to-one.

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 What’s More

Find the inverse functions of the following one-to-one functions:

1.) f ( x) = 1/2 x + 4 2.) f(x) = (x+3)3 3.) f(x) = 4x

3 𝑥+3 2𝑥+1
4. f(x) = 𝑥−4
5. f(x) = 𝑥−3
6.) f(x) = 4𝑥−1

What I Have Learned

Ask the following questions to the class:

a.) What is the inverse of inverse?
b.) What is f(f -1(x))? How about f-1(f(x))?
c.) If y=f(x) has an inverse function, this new function is denoted by _______

State if the given functions are inverses:

4−𝑥 4−𝑥
1. g(x) = -x5 – 3 2. g(x) = 3. g(x) =
𝑥 𝑥
4 4
f(x) = 𝑥
f(x) = 5 √−𝑥 − 3 f(x) = 𝑥
− 𝑥−1 −2−2𝑥
4. f(x) = 𝑥−2
5. h(x) = 𝑥
6. g(x) = -10x+5
−2𝑥+1 𝑥−5 −2
g(x) = −𝑥−1
f(x) = 10
f(x) = 𝑥+2

What I Can Do

To convert from degrees Fahrenheit to Kelvin, the function is k(t) = 5/9 (t-32) +
273.15, where t is the temperature in Fahrenheit (Kelvin is the SI unit of temperature).
Find the inverse function converting the temperature in Kelvin to degrees Fahrenheit.
We just solve for t in terms of k:

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 Assessment

Find the inverse of each functions.

1. f(x) = (x-2)5 + 3
A. f-1(x) = 5√𝑥 − 3 + 2 B. f-1(x) = 5√𝑥 3 + 2
C. f-1(x) = √𝑥 − 3 + 2 D. f-1(x) = √𝑥 3 + 2
2. g(x) = - (x-1)3
A. g-1 (x) = (x-2) -1 B. g-1 (x) = (x-2)3 -1
C. g-1 (x) = (x-2)2 -1 D. g-1 (x) = (x-2) +1
𝟒
3. g(x) =
𝒙+𝟐
4−2𝑥 2𝑥−4
A. g-1(x) = 𝑥
B. g-1(x) = 𝑥
4𝑥+2𝑥 2−4𝑥
C. g-1(x) = D. g-1(x) =
𝑥 𝑥
9+𝑥
4. g(x) = 3

A. g-1(x) = 2x-9 B. g-1(x) = 3x+9

C. g-1(x) = x+9 D. g-1(x) = 3x-9

Additional Activities

8−𝑥
Consider the functions f : x 2x+5 and g : x  f -1(x) = 2

a. Find g-1(-1)
b. Show that f-1(-3) – g-1(6) = 0

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 Lesson Representing Inverse

3 Functions by the Table of

Values and By Its Graph

What’s In

Consider the table of values for the function given by the equation y=2x – 1 given
below:

X -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Y -9 -7 -5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7

Verify that is a one-to-one function by showing that no two y-values share the
same x-value.

Let us invert the values for x and y:

X -9 -7 -5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7

Y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Does this table represent a function?

We should see that it can still represent a function because each x value is associated
with only one y value.

What’s New

Consider the table of values for another function below:

X -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Y -1 -1 -1 -1 0 1 1 1 1

Show that the table does not represent a function because there are some y-
values that are paired with more than one x-value. For example, y=1 is paired with x=
1,2,3,4.
Invert the values for x and y. Will the resulting table still represent a function?

X -1 -1 -1 -1 0 1 1 1 1
Y -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

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The resulting table does not represent a function since x=1 is paired with more than
one y-value; namely, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Graphs of One-to-One Functions
Show the following graphs to the class. Ask them if the given function is one-to-one or
not by having them check if there is a y-value with more than one corresponding x-
value.

The students, with the teacher’s guidance, should identify that the second, third, and
fourth graphs represent one-to-one functions. The first graph is a quadratic function. It
is not one-to-one because the y-value 0 is paired with two x-values, namely 2 and -2.
A simple way to determine if a given graph is that of a one-to-one function is by using
the Horizontal Line Test.

What is It

1. HORIZONTAL LINE TEST

A function is one-to-one if each horizontal line does not intersect the graph at
more than one point.
2. THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL LINE TESTS
All functions satisfy the vertical line test. All one-to-one functions satisfy both
the vertical and horizontal line tests.
3. If the x- and y-values of a one-to-one function are interchanged, the result is a
function, but If the x- and y-values of a function that is not one-to-one are
inverted, the result is no longer a function

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 What’s More

Identify if the given graph can be that of a one-to-one function. Explain briefly why.

1. 2.

3. 4.

What I Have Learned

Construct a table of values for the function f(x)I = x2 + 1 in the restricted domain
{0,0.5,1,1.5,2,2.5,3}. Is this a one-to-one function? If it is a one-to-one function,
construct the table of values of the inverse.
X 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
f(x)

What I Can Do

1. Given f(x) = 2x-5, find (f—1)-1(x). What do you notice?

2. Sketch the graph of f: x  x3 and its inverse function f -1(x) .

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 Assessment

Find the inverse of each function. Then graph the function and its inverse.
1 1
1. f(x) = -1 – 5 𝑥 2. g(x) = 𝑥−1 3. f(x)= 2x3+1

Additional Activities

In each problem, find the inverse of the function then graph both the function and its
inverse. It is a good idea to use different shapes to distinguish between the function and
its inverse.
1. f(x) = (2,4)(-5,3)(-2,-3)(1,1)(-4,-4)(-1,-2)(3,-1)
f-1(x) =
2. h(x) = (0,0)(-2,4)(-1,-4)(2,2)(-3,-3)(-4,4)(1,-1)
h-1(x) =
3. What do you notice about the function & inverse?

Lesson
The Domain and Range of a
4 Inverse Function

What’s In

In this lesson, we will use the property of one-to-one functions and their inverses
that the graph of the inverse function is the reflection of the graph of the original
function across the line y=x. Assign the following activity as homework to practice the
idea of drawing reflections across a time. This is suggested as a homework as the activity
itself does not make use of the idea of functions but merely makes the reflection
transformation more natural to the student.
Consider the points on the first image below. Can these points represent a one-
to-one function? Draw the reflection of the points below across the line y=x. What can
you observe about the coordinates of the points on the figure and the coordinates of the
points on the image?

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 What’s New

The coordinates of points in a graph of the inverse of a one-to-one function are

the coordinates of points in the original function with the x and y-coordinates
interchanged.
Recall that f and f -1 satisfy the property that f -1 (f(x)) = x. This means that the inverse f -
1(x) sends the y-values of points in f(x) back to x.

EXAMPLE 1. Graph y= f -1(x) if the graph of y=f(x) = 2x+1 restricted in the domain {x|-
2≤ x ≤1.5} is given below. What is the range of f(x)? What is the domain and range of its
inverse?
1
EXAMPLE 2. Find and graph the inverse of f(x) = 𝑥 , whose graph is shown below.

1. 2.

3. For example, f:y= 5x+2 becomes f -1: x=5y+2.

The domain of f -1 is equal to the range of f.
The range of f -1 is equal to the domain of f.

What is It

1. Graphing inverse functions

Given the graph of a one-to-one function, the graph of its inverse can be obtained
by reflecting the graph about the line y=x.
2. The coordinates of the points in the reflected image are reversed in relation to
those in the original image.

3. If a function is not one-to-one, the reflection of its graph about the line y=x does
not produce a function.

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 What’s More
5𝑥−1
1. Consider the rational function f(x) =
−𝑥+2
a. Find its domain and range
b. Find the graph of its inverse
c. Find the domain and range of its inverse.

What I Have Learned

For the graph of y=f(x), state:

a. the domain of f(x) b. the range of f(x)
c. the domain of f -1(x) d. the range of f -1(x)

What I Can Do

1. If the domain of H(x) is {x | -2 ≤ x 3}, state the range of H -1 (x).

2. Given f(x) = 2x – 5, find (f -1) -1(x). What do you notice?

Assessment

Find the domain of the following functions:

1. f(x) = √19 − 𝑥
A. ( - ∞, 19] C. ( -∞, 19] ∪ [19, ∞)
B. [ √19, ∞) D. All real numbers

𝑥+5
2. f(x) = (𝑥+8)(𝑥−9)
A. ( - ∞, -8) ∪ (-8, -5) ∪ (-5,9) ∪ (9, ∞) C. (0, ∞)
B. [-5,9) ∪ (9, ∞) D. All real numbers
𝑥
3. f(x) = (𝑥−7
A. all real numbers C. {x|x ≠ -7}
B. {x|x > 0} D. {x|x ≠ 7}

4. f(x) = In(-6-x)
A. (-6, ∞) B. (6, ∞) C. (-∞, -6) D. (-∞, 6)

Additional Activities

Find the domain and range of each of the following, where y is a function of x.
a.) y = 5x + 3 b.) y = 4 – x2

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