SUPPLEMENT 2B

3.7
Composite and Inverse Functions
Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
Find and evaluate composite functions
Determine whether a function is one-to-one
Find the inverse of a function

Be Prepared!

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

2
1. If f (x) = 2x − 3 and g(x) = x + 2x − 3, find f (4).

2. Solve for x, 3x + 2y = 12.

990 Chapter 3 Functions

Find and Evaluate Composite Functions

Before we introduce the functions, we need to look at another operation on functions called composition. In composition,
the output of one function is the input of a second function. For functions f and g, the composition is written f ∘ g
⎛
and is defined by ⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x) = f ⎛⎝g(x)⎞⎠.
We read f ⎛⎝g(x)⎞⎠ as “ f of g of x.”

To do a composition, the output of the first function, g(x), becomes the input of the second function, f, and so we must
be sure that it is part of the domain of f.

Composition of Functions

The composition of functions f and g is written f · g and is defined by

⎛
⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x) = f ⎛⎝g(x)⎞⎠
We read f ⎛⎝g(x)⎞⎠ as f of g of x.

We have actually used composition without using the notation many times before. When we graphed quadratic functions
using translations, we were composing functions. For example, if we first graphed g(x) = x 2 as a parabola and then
⎛
shifted it down vertically four units, we were using the composition defined by ⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x) = f ⎛⎝g(x)⎞⎠ where f (x) = x − 4.

⎛
The next example will demonstrate that ⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x), ⎛
g ∘ f ⎞⎠(x) and ⎛⎝ f · g⎞⎠(x) usually result in different outputs.
⎝

EXAMPLE 3.1

For functions f (x) = 4x − 5 and g(x) = 2x + 3, find: ⓐ ⎛⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x), ⓑ g ∘ f (x),

⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠ and ⓒ ⎛
⎝ f · g⎞⎠(x).

Solution
ⓐ

Use the definition of ⎛⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x).

Distribute.

Simplify.

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Chapter 3 Functions 991

Use the definition of ⎛⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x).

Distribute.

Simplify.

Notice the difference in the result in part ⓐ and part ⓑ.

ⓒ Notice that f · g (x)

⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠ is different than ⎛
⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x). In part ⓐ we did the composition of the functions. Now in part ⓒ we
are not composing them, we are multiplying them.

Use the definition o ⎛⎝ f · g⎞⎠(x). ⎛

⎝ f · g⎞⎠(x) = f (x) · g(x)
⎛
Substitute f (x) = 4x − 5 and g(x) = 2x + 3. ⎝ f · g⎞⎠(x) = (4x − 5) · (2x + 3)
Multiply. ⎛
⎝ f · g⎞⎠(x) = 8x 2 + 2x − 15

TRY IT : : 3.1 For functions f (x) = 3x − 2 and g(x) = 5x + 1, find ⓐ ⎛⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x) ⓑ g ∘ f (x) ⓒ f · g (x) .
⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠
⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠

TRY IT : : 3.2

For functions f (x) = 4x − 3, and g(x) = 6x − 5, find ⓐ ⎛⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(x), ⓑ g ∘ f (x),

⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠ and ⓒ ⎛
⎝ f · g⎞⎠(x).

In the next example we will evaluate a composition for a specific value.

EXAMPLE 3.2

For functions f (x) = x 2 − 4, and g(x) = 3x + 2, find: ⓐ ⎛⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(−3), ⓑ g ∘ f (−1),

⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠ and ⓒ ⎛
⎝
f ∘ f ⎞⎠(2).

Solution
ⓐ

Use the definition of ⎛⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(−3).

Simplify.

Simplify.

ⓑ
992 Chapter 3 Functions

Use the definition of ⎛⎝g ∘ f ⎞⎠(−1).

Simplify.

Simplify.

Use the definition of ⎛⎝ f ∘ f ⎞⎠(2).

Simplify.

Simplify.

TRY IT : : 3.3

For functions f (x) = x 2 − 9, and g(x) = 2x + 5, find ⓐ ⎛⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(−2), ⓑ g ∘ f (−3),

⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠ and ⓒ ⎛
⎝ f ∘ f ⎞⎠(4).

TRY IT : : 3.4

For functions f (x) = x 2 + 1, and g(x) = 3x − 5, find ⓐ ⎛⎝ f ∘ g⎞⎠(−1), ⓑ g ∘ f (2),

⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠ and ⓒ ⎛
⎝ f ∘ f ⎞⎠(−1).

Determine Whether a Function is One-to-One

When we first introduced functions, we said a function is a relation that assigns to each element in its domain exactly one
element in the range. For each ordered pair in the relation, each x-value is matched with only one y-value.
We used the birthday example to help us understand the definition. Every person has a birthday, but no one has two
birthdays and it is okay for two people to share a birthday. Since each person has exactly one birthday, that relation is a
function.

A function is one-to-one if each value in the range has exactly one element in the domain. For each ordered pair in the
function, each y-value is matched with only one x-value.
Our example of the birthday relation is not a one-to-one function. Two people can share the same birthday. The range
value August 2 is the birthday of Liz and June, and so one range value has two domain values. Therefore, the function is

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Chapter 3 Functions 993

not one-to-one.

One-to-One Function

A function is one-to-one if each value in the range corresponds to one element in the domain. For each ordered pair
in the function, each y-value is matched with only one x-value. There are no repeated y-values.

EXAMPLE 3.3

For each set of ordered pairs, determine if it represents a function and, if so, if the function is one-to-one.

ⓐ {(−3, 27), (−2, 8), (−1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1), (2, 8), (3, 27)} and ⓑ {(0, 0), (1, 1), (4, 2), (9, 3), (16, 4)}.
Solution
ⓐ
{(−3, 27), (−2, 8), (−1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1), (2, 8), (3, 27)}
Each x-value is matched with only one y-value. So this relation is a function.
But each y-value is not paired with only one x-value, (−3, 27) and (3, 27), for example. So this function is not one-to-
one.

ⓑ
{(0, 0), (1, 1), (4, 2), (9, 3), (16, 4)}
Each x-value is matched with only one y-value. So this relation is a function.
Since each y-value is paired with only one x-value, this function is one-to-one.

TRY IT : : 3.5

For each set of ordered pairs, determine if it represents a function and if so, is the function one-to-one.

ⓐ {(−3, −6), (−2, −4), (−1, −2), (0, 0), (1, 2), (2, 4), (3, 6)}
ⓑ {(−4, 8), (−2, 4), (−1, 2), (0, 0), (1, 2), (2, 4), (4, 8)}

TRY IT : : 3.6

For each set of ordered pairs, determine if it represents a function and if so, is the function one-to-one.

ⓐ {(27, −3), (8, −2), (1, −1), (0, 0), (1, 1), (8, 2), (27, 3)}
ⓑ {(7, −3), (−5, −4), (8, 0), (0, 0), (−6, 4), (−2, 2), (−1, 3)}

To help us determine whether a relation is a function, we use the vertical line test. A set of points in a rectangular
coordinate system is the graph of a function if every vertical line intersects the graph in at most one point. Also, if any
vertical line intersects the graph in more than one point, the graph does not represent a function.
The vertical line is representing an x-value and we check that it intersects the graph in only one y-value. Then it is a
function.
To check if a function is one-to-one, we use a similar process. We use a horizontal line and check that each horizontal line
intersects the graph in only one point. The horizontal line is representing a y-value and we check that it intersects the
graph in only one x-value. If every horizontal line intersects the graph of a function in at most one point, it is a one-to-one
function. This is the horizontal line test.

Horizontal Line Test

If every horizontal line intersects the graph of a function in at most one point, it is a one-to-one function.

We can test whether a graph of a relation is a function by using the vertical line test. We can then tell if the function is
one-to-one by applying the horizontal line test.

EXAMPLE 3.4
994 Chapter 3 Functions

Determine ⓐ whether each graph is the graph of a function and, if so, ⓑ whether it is one-to-one.

Solution
ⓐ

Since any vertical line intersects the graph in at most one point, the graph is the graph of a function. Since any horizontal
line intersects the graph in at most one point, the graph is the graph of a one-to-one function.

Since any vertical line intersects the graph in at most one point, the graph is the graph of a function. The horizontal line
shown on the graph intersects it in two points. This graph does not represent a one-to-one function.

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Chapter 3 Functions 995

TRY IT : : 3.7

Determine ⓐ whether each graph is the graph of a function and, if so, ⓑ whether it is one-to-one.

TRY IT : : 3.8

Determine ⓐ whether each graph is the graph of a function and, if so, ⓑ whether it is one-to-one.

Find the Inverse of a Function

Let’s look at a one-to one function, f , represented by the ordered pairs {(0, 5), (1, 6), (2, 7), (3, 8)}. For each x
-value, f adds 5 to get the y -value. To ‘undo’ the addition of 5, we subtract 5 from each y -value and get back to the

original x -value. We can call this “taking the inverse of f ” and name the function f −1.
996 Chapter 3 Functions

Notice that that the ordered pairs of f and f −1 have their x -values and y -values reversed. The domain of f is the
range of f −1 and the domain of f −1 is the range of f .

Inverse of a Function Defined by Ordered Pairs

If f (x) is a one-to-one function whose ordered pairs are of the form (x, y), then its inverse function f −1 (x) is the
set of ordered pairs (y, x).

In the next example we will find the inverse of a function defined by ordered pairs.

EXAMPLE 3.5

Find the inverse of the function {(0, 3), (1, 5), (2, 7), (3, 9)}. Determine the domain and range of the inverse function.
Solution
This function is one-to-one since every x -value is paired with exactly one y -value.
To find the inverse we reverse the x -values and y -values in the ordered pairs of the function.
Function {(0, 3), (1, 5), (2, 7), (3, 9)}
Inverse Function {(3, 0), (5, 1), (7, 2), (9, 3)}
Domain of Inverse Function {3, 5, 7, 9}
Range of Inverse Function {0, 1, 2, 3}

TRY IT : : 3.9

Find the inverse of {(0, 4), (1, 7), (2, 10), (3, 13)}. Determine the domain and range of the inverse function.

TRY IT : : 3.10

Find the inverse of {(−1, 4), (−2, 1), (−3, 0), (−4, 2)}. Determine the domain and range of the inverse
function.

We just noted that if f (x) is a one-to-one function whose ordered pairs are of the form (x, y), then its inverse function
−1
f (x) is the set of ordered pairs (y, x).

So if a point (a, b) is on the graph of a function f (x), then the ordered pair (b, a) is on the graph of f −1 (x). See
Figure 10.2.

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Chapter 3 Functions 997

Figure 10.2

The distance between any two pairs (a, b) and (b, a) is cut in half by the line y = x. So we say the points are mirror
images of each other through the line y = x.

f (x) is a mirror image of a point on the graph of f −1 (x), we say the graphs
Since every point on the graph of a function
are mirror images of each other through the line y = x. We will use this concept to graph the inverse of a function in the
next example.

EXAMPLE 3.6

Graph, on the same coordinate system, the inverse of the one-to one function shown.

Solution
We can use points on the graph to find points on the inverse graph. Some points on the graph are:
(−5, −3), (−3, −1), (−1, 0), (0, 2), (3, 4) .
So, the inverse function will contain the points: (−3, −5), (−1, −3), (0, −1), (2, 0), (4, 3) .

Notice how the graph of the original function and the graph of the inverse functions are mirror images through the line
y = x.
998 Chapter 3 Functions

TRY IT : : 3.11 Graph, on the same coordinate system, the inverse of the one-to one function.

TRY IT : : 3.12 Graph, on the same coordinate system, the inverse of the one-to one function.

When we began our discussion of an inverse function, we talked about how the inverse function ‘undoes’ what the
original function did to a value in its domain in order to get back to the original x-value.

Inverse Functions

f −1 ⎛⎝ f (x)⎞⎠ = x, for all x in the domain of f

f ⎛⎝ f −1 (x)⎞⎠ = x, for all x in the domain of f −1

We can use this property to verify that two functions are inverses of each other.

EXAMPLE 3.7

Verify that f (x) = 5x − 1 and g(x) = x + 1 are inverse functions.

5
Solution
The functions are inverses of each other if g⎛⎝ f (x)⎞⎠ = x and f ⎛⎝g(x)⎞⎠ = x.

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Chapter 3 Functions 999

Substitute 5x − 1 for f (x).

Simplify.

Simplify.

Substitute x + 1 for g(x).

5

Simplify.

Simplify.

Since both g⎛⎝ f (x)⎞⎠ = x and f ⎛⎝g(x)⎞⎠ = x are true, the functions f (x) = 5x − 1 and g(x) = x + 1 are inverse functions.
5
That is, they are inverses of each other.

TRY IT : : 3.13 Verify that the functions are inverse functions.

f (x) = 4x − 3 and g(x) = x + 3 .

4

TRY IT : : 3.14 Verify that the functions are inverse functions.

f (x) = 2x + 6 and g(x) = x − 6 .

2

We have found inverses of function defined by ordered pairs and from a graph. We will now look at how to find an inverse
using an algebraic equation. The method uses the idea that if f (x) is a one-to-one function with ordered pairs (x, y),

then its inverse function f −1 (x) is the set of ordered pairs (y, x).
If we reverse the x and y in the function and then solve for y, we get our inverse function.
EXAMPLE 3.8 HOW TO FIND THE INVERSE OF A ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTION

Find the inverse of f (x) = 4x + 7.

Solution
1000 Chapter 3 Functions

TRY IT : : 3.15 Find the inverse of the function f (x) = 5x − 3.

TRY IT : : 3.16 Find the inverse of the function f (x) = 8x + 5.

We summarize the steps below.

HOW TO : : HOW TO FIND THE INVERSE OF A ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTION

Step 1. Substitute y for f (x).

Step 2. Interchange the variables x and y.
Step 3. Solve for y.
Step 4. Substitute f −1 (x) for y.
Step 5. Verify that the functions are inverses.

EXAMPLE 3.9 HOW TO FIND THE INVERSE OF A ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTION

5
Find the inverse of f (x) = 2x − 3.

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Chapter 3 Functions 1001

Solution
5
f (x) = 2x − 3
5
Substitute y for f (x). y = 2x − 3
5
Interchange the variables x and y. x = 2y − 3
⎛5 ⎞
5
Solve for y. (x) 5 = ⎝ 2y − 3⎠

x 5 = 2y − 3
x 5 + 3 = 2y
x5 + 3 = y
2
5
Substitute f −1 (x) for y. f (x) = x + 3
−1
2
Verify that the functions are inverses.

?
f −1 ⎛⎝ f (x)⎞⎠ = x f ⎛⎝ f −1 (x)⎞⎠ =
?
x
⎛5 ⎞ ⎛ 5 ⎞ ?
?
f x +3 =
f −1 ⎝ 2x − 3⎠ = x
⎝ 2 ⎠ x

⎛5 ⎞
5
⎝ 2x − 3⎠ + 3 5 ⎛ 5 ⎞
?
2 x +3 −3 =
?
2
= x
⎝ 2 ⎠ x
5
2x − 3 + 3 =
?
x ?
x5 + 3 − 3 = x
2
5
2x =
?
x ?
x5 = x
2
x = x✓ x = x✓

TRY IT : : 3.17 5
Find the inverse of the function f (x) = 3x − 2.

TRY IT : : 3.18 4
Find the inverse of the function f (x) = 6x − 7.
1002 Chapter 3 Functions

3.7 EXERCISES
Practice Makes Perfect
Find and Evaluate Composite Functions

In the following exercises, find ⓐ (f ∘ g)(x), ⓑ (g ∘ f)(x), and ⓒ (f · g)(x).

1. f (x) = 4x + 3 and g(x) = 2x + 5

3. f (x) = 6x − 5 and g(x) = 4x + 1

5. f (x) = 3x and g(x) = 2x 2 − 3x

7. f (x) = 2x − 1 and g(x) = x 2 + 2

In the following exercises, find the values described.

9. For functions f (x) = 2x 2 + 3 and g(x) = 5x − 1,

find
ⓐ f ∘ g (−2)
⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠

ⓑ g ∘ f (−3)
⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠

ⓒ f ∘ f (−1)
⎛
⎝
⎞
⎠

Determine Whether a Function is One-to-One

In the following exercises, determine if the set of ordered pairs represents a function and if so, is the function one-to-one.
13.{(−3, 9), (−2, 4), (−1, 1), (0, 0) ,
(1, 1), (2, 4), (3, 9)}

15.{(−3, −5), (−2, −3), (−1, −1) ,

(0, 1), (1, 3), (2, 5), (3, 7)}

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Chapter 3 Functions 1003

In the following exercises, determine whether each graph is the graph of a function and if so, is it one-to-one.

17. ⓐ

19. ⓐ

In the following exercises, find the inverse of each function. Determine the domain and range of the inverse function.
21. {(2, 1), (4, 2), (6, 3), (8, 4)}

23. {(0, −2), (1, 3), (2, 7), (3, 12)}

25. {(−2, −3), (−1, −1), (0, 1), (1, 3)}

1004 Chapter 3 Functions

In the following exercises, graph, on the same coordinate system, the inverse of the one-to-one function shown.
27.

29.

In the following exercises, determine whether or not the given functions are inverses.
31. f (x) = x + 8 and g(x) = x − 8

33. f (x) = 7x and g(x) = x

7

35. f (x) = 7x + 3 and g(x) = x − 3

7

37. f (x) = x + 2 and g(x) = x 2 − 2

In the following exercises, find the inverse of each function.

39. f (x) = x − 12 53. f (x) = 1
x+2
41. f (x) = 9x
55. f (x) = x − 2, x ≥ 2

43. f (x) = x
6 3
57. f (x) = x − 3
45. f (x) = 6x − 7
4
59. f (x) = 9x − 5, x ≥ 5
9
47. f (x) = −2x + 5

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