2.

Inverse of a Function
Engineers have been able to determine the
relationship between the speed of a car and its
stopping distance. A typical function describing this
relationship is D 5 0.006v 2, where D is the stopping
distance, in metres, and v is the speed, in kilometres per hour. The graph of this function (below left)
shows that as the speed increases, the stopping distance increases faster. Another useful graph is the
inverse (below right), which shows the maximum speed allowed to stop within a given distance.
In this section, you will D v
Stopping Distance (m)

learn about the inverse 30 60 inverse of a function

Speed (km/h)
of a function and how • The inverse of a function
20 40 f is denoted by f —1.
it relates to the idea of
reversing operations. • The function and
10 20
its inverse have the
property that if
0 20 40 60 v 0 10 20 30 D f (a) = b, then f —1(b) = a.
Speed (km/h) Stopping Distance (m)

Tools Investigate
• grid paper
• ruler How can you determine the inverse of a function?
1. Sketch the graph of the function
Points on the Points on the Inverse
f (x) 5 x 2 and its inverse. Function of the Function
a) Start by looking at points on (—3, 9)
the graph of the function. (—2, 4)
Thinking of an inverse in (—1, 1)
terms of a reverse operation, (0, 0)
copy and complete the table
(1, 1)
by switching the
(2, 4)
x- and y-coordinates of each
(3, 9)
point.
Connections b) Plot the original function
points, draw a smooth curve through them, and label the curve
The notation f (x) is
—1

read as “the inverse of f (x).

f at x.” Note that the —1 c) Plot the new points on the same set of axes and draw a smooth
in f —1(x) does not behave
like an exponent, so curve through them. Label this curve as f 1(x).
f —1(x) 
_ 1
.
f (x) 2. a) State the domain and range of f (x).
b) State the domain and range of f 1(x).

132 MHR • Functions 11 • Chapter 2

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 3. Reflect
a) Compare the domain and range of f (x) to the domain and range of
f  1(x).
b) Is f 1(x) a function? Explain.

4. a) Draw a line segment between each original point and its

corresponding inverse point.
b) Locate the midpoint of each line segment.
c) All of these midpoints should lie on a straight line. What is the
equation of that line?

5. Reflect Describe a way to draw the inverse of a function using

reflections.

6. On the same set__of axes, sketch the graphs of g (x) 5 x2, h(x) 5 2x __3,
and k(x) 5 ​ x ​.  Note that k(x) represents two functions: k(x) 5 
​ x ​ 
__
and k(x) 5 ​ x ​. 

7. Reflect Which of the graphs from step 6 is the same as the graph of
the inverse of f (x)? Compare its equation to that of f (x). How do you
think the notion of “reversing” comes into play when dealing with
the equations of a function and its inverse?

Example 1
Determine the Inverse Numerically
The table shows ordered pairs belonging to a function f (x). f (x)
Determine f 1(x), graph f (x) and its inverse, and then state the (—5, 0)
domain and range of f (x) and its inverse.
(—4, 2)
(—3, 5)
(—2, 6)
Solution
(0, 7)
Switch the x- and y-coordinates,
and then plot the points. y
(0, 7) y=x
f (x) f —1(x) (—2, 6) 6

(—5, 0) (0, —5) f(x) (—3, 5)

4
(—4, 2) (2, —4) (—4, 2)
2
(—3, 5) (5, —3)
(—5, 0) (7, 0)
(—2, 6) (6, —2)
—6 —4 —2 0 2 4 6 x
(0, 7) (7, 0)
—2
f —1(x) (6, —2)
Notice that switching the (5, —3)
—4
x- and y-coordinates reflects the (2, —4)
(0, —5)
graph of f (x) in the line y 5 x. —6

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 Domain Range Domain Range

—5 0 0 —5
—4 2 2 —4
—3 5 5 —3
—2 6 6 —2
0 7 7 0

Notice that the domain of f (x) is the range of f 1(x), and the range of f (x)
is the domain of f 1(x).

Connections The inverse of a function f (x) can be found by reversing the operations
In mathematics, tools
that the function specifies. Consider the function f (x) 5 3x  2. This
exist for manipulating function multiplies each x-value by 3 and adds 2 to the result. Reversing
numbers and the operations then subtracts 2 from each x and divides the result by 3.
So, the inverse of f (x) is f 1(x) 5 ​ __
expressions. Many of x  ​
2 
these tools come in
3
 . The inverse is the “reverse” of
pairs. Two examples are the original function.
addition and subtraction
and multiplication and A systematic method for determining the inverse of a function
division. These are algebraically can be described by the following steps:
considered to be inverse
operations since one 1. Write the equation in “y 5” form, if it is not already in that form.
“undoes” or “reverses”
2. Interchange x and y in the equation.
the other.
3. Solve the new equation for y.
4. Replace y with f 1(x).

Example 2
Determine the Inverse of a Function Algebraically
For each function f (x),
i) determine f 1(x)
ii) graph f (x) and its inverse
iii) determine whether the inverse of f (x) is a function
a) f (x) 5 2x  3

b) f (x) 5 2x2  16x  29

Solution
a) i) f (x) 5 2x  3
Step 1: y 5 2x  3 Replace f (x) with y.

Step 2:  x 5 2y  3 Interchange x and y.

Step 3: x  3 5 2y Isolate y. Notice that the inverse operations are

​ __
x  ​ 3  5 y used.
2
Step 4:   f 1(x) 5 ​ __
x  ​
3 
  Replace y with f —1(x).
2

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 ii) The graphs of the function f (x) y
6
and its inverse are reflections of
each other in the line y 5 x. Any 4
points that lie on the line y 5 x
x+3 2
are invariant, since their f —1(x) =
2
x- and y-coordinates are equal.
—6 —4 —2 0 2 4 6x
—2 f(x) = 2x — 3

—4

y=x —6

Using a graphing
calculator, set the line
style of y = x to Dot. The
window can be adjusted
using ZSquare from the
ZOOM menu.

iii) T
he inverse of f (x) is a function, since there is only one y-value
for each x-value. In other words, the graph of f 1(x) passes the
vertical line test.

b) i) f (x) 5 2x2  16x  29

Step 1: y 5 2x2  16x  29 Replace f (x) with y.

Before you interchange x and y, rewrite the quadratic function in

vertex form, y 5 a(x  h)2  k, by completing the square.
y 5 2(x2  8x)  29
5 2(x2  8x  16  16)  29
5 2(x2  8x  16)  32  29
5 2(x  4)2  3
Step 2: x 5 2(y  4)2  3 Interchange x and y.
Step 3: x  3 5 2(y  4) 2
Isolate y. Notice that the
__
x  3 5 (y  4)2 inverse operations are used.
2
______
 __
 x3 5y4
2
Take the square root of both sides.
Recall that there is a positive and a
______ negative root.
 __
 x3 45y
2 ______
f 1(x) 5  __
Step 4:
x3 4
2
Replace y with f —1(x).

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 ii) The graphs of the function f (x) and its inverse are reflections of
each other in the line y 5 x.
y
6
f(x) = 2(x + 4)2 — 3
4
y=x
2

Reflect key points in the line y = x to help

you sketch the graph of the inverse of f (x). —6 —4 —2 0 2 4 6x
—2

—4 f —1(x) = ± x +3— 4
2
—6

______
_
To graph g (x) = 
—1

______  x+3
— 4, you must enter two equations,
2 ______
_ _
y=
 x+3
2
— 4 and y = —
 x+3
2
— 4.

iii) The inverse of f (x) is not a function, since there are two y-values
for each x-value. In other words, the graph of f 1(x) does not pass
the vertical line test.

Example 3
Apply Inverses
The relationship between the speed of a car and its stopping distance
can be modelled by the function D 5 0.006v 2, where D is the stopping
distance, in metres, and v is the speed, in kilometres per hour. The graph
of this function and its inverse are shown.
D v
Stopping Distance (m)

30 60
Speed (km/h)

20 40

10 20

0 20 40 60 v 0 10 20 30 D
Speed (km/h) Stopping Distance (m)

a) State the domain and range of the function D.

b) Determine an equation for the inverse of the function. State its
domain and range.

136 MHR • Functions 11 • Chapter 2

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 Solution
a) Since the speed must be greater than or equal to zero, the domain is
{v ∈ , v  0}.
Distance cannot be negative, so the range is {D ∈ , D  0}.

b) For a real-life context, to determine the inverse of the relationship,

solve for the dependent variable. This is because the cause-and-effect
relationship between speed and stopping distance does not change,
so you cannot just switch D and v.
D 5 0.006v2
__
​ 
D
   ​ 
5 v2
0.006 ______
v 5 ​ ​ __
Take the square root of both sides. Since speed must be

 D   ​ ​ 
0.006
  greater than or equal to zero, only the positive root is needed.

The domain is {D ∈ , D  0} and the range is {v ∈ , v  0}.

Key Concepts

The inverse of a function f (x) is denoted by f 1(x).

The inverse of a function can be found by interchanging the x- and y-coordinates of the
function.
The graph of f 1(x) is the graph of f (x) reflected in the line y 5 x.
The inverse of a function can be found by interchanging x and y in the equation of the
function and then solving the new equation for y.
For algebraic inverses of quadratic functions, the functions must be in vertex form.
The inverse of a function is not necessarily a function.

Communicate Your Understanding

C1 You are asked to solve the equation 3x  4 5 19. How is the method used to solve this
equation similar to the method used to determine an inverse?

C2 The function f (x) 5 9x  5 has inverse f 1(x) 5 ​  __

x  ​
5 
 . Discuss how the idea of inverse or
9
reversed operations relates the function and its inverse.

C3 Explain why a quadratic function needs to be in vertex form in order to determine its inverse
algebraically.

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 A Practise
For help with questions 1 and 2, refer to For help with questions 3 to 7, refer to
Example 1. Example 2.
Reasoning and Proving
1. Write the inverse of each function. Then, 3. Copy each graph
state the domain and range of the function of f (x) and then Representing Selecting Tools

and its inverse. sketch the graph of Problem Solving

a) {(1, 5), (4, 2), (5, 3), (7, 0)} the inverse of each
Connecting Reflecting
function. Is the
b) {(3, 5), (4, 0), (5, 5), (6, 10)} Communicating
inverse of f (x) a
c) function? Explain.
—4 —1
a)
—2 1 y
4
0 3
f(x)
2 5 2

4 7
—2 0 2 4 6 x
—2
d)
—2 —3 —4
0 —1
—6
1 1
4 7 b)
y
5 9
6

4
2. Copy each graph. Then, sketch the inverse f(x)
of each function and state the domain and 2
range of the function and its inverse.
—6 —4 —2 0 2 4x
a)
y
6
c)
y
4 6

2 4 f(x)

—6 —4 —2 0 2 4 6 x 2

—2
—6 —4 —2 0 2 4 6x
—2
b)
y
6 —4

4 —6

2
4. Determine the equation of the inverse of
—6 —4 —2 0 2 4 x each function.
a) f (x) 5 2x b) f (x) 5 6x  5

c) f (x) 5 x  10 d) f (x) 5 ​  __
2x  ​
4 
  5

138 MHR • Functions 11 • Chapter 2

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 5. Determine the equation of the inverse of c) Which equation, the original or the
each function. inverse, might be more useful for
a) f (x) 5 x  6
2
b) f (x) 5 4x 2 someone using the cannon?

c) f (x) 5 (x  8)2 _1  
d) f (x) 5 ​   ​ x2  10 9. In the 2008 Beijing Reasoning and Proving
2
Olympics, Usain Representing Selecting Tools
6. For each quadratic function, complete the “Lightning” Bolt
square and then determine the equation of set a new world
Problem Solving

the inverse. record in the 100-m Connecting Reflecting

a) f (x) 5 x2  6x  15 dash by smashing Communicating

b) f (x) 5 x2  20x  99 his own previous

record by 0.03 s. By all accounts, however,
c) f (x) 5 2x2  24x  3
he coasted to the finish line. His coach
d) f (x) 5 3x2  36x  100
suggested that if he had continued at the
7. For each function f (x), Reasoning and Proving speed he had been travelling, he would
have run the race in 9.52 s.
i) determine f (x)1 Representing Selecting Tools

ii) graph f (x) and its Problem Solving

inverse with or Connecting Reflecting

without technology Communicating
iii) state whether the
inverse of f (x) is a function and explain
your reasoning
a) f (x) 5 5x  6
_1  
b) f (x) 5 ​   ​ x  8
3
Physicists led by Hans Kristian Eriksen
c) f (x) 5 (x  8)2  16
investigated this possibility. For the
d) f (x) 5 x2  20x  64
majority of the race, Bolt’s position, in
metres, could be modelled by the function
B Connect and Apply d(t) 5 11.8t  12.5, where t is the time, in
For help with question 8, refer to Example 3. seconds.
a) Graph Bolt’s position function and state
8. In ballistics, the paths of projectiles are
the domain and range.
studied. It is known that the greater the
speed at which an object is fired, the b) Suggest reasons why the domain of this
farther it will travel. For a particular function should not start at t 5 0.
spring-loaded cannon, this relationship c) Determine the inverse of this function
can be modelled by d 5 ​ _  ​ , where d is
v2 and state its domain and range.
10
d) Use the inverse to determine if Bolt’s
the distance, in metres, travelled by the
coach was close to being correct.
projectile and v is the muzzle speed, in
metres per second. Different speeds can be Connections
attained by adjusting the spring. Go to the Functions 11 page on the McGraw-Hill
a) Graph the distance function and state Ryerson Web site and follow the links to Chapter 2
to read the paper entitled “Velocity Dispersions in a
its domain and range. Cluster of Stars: How Fast Could Usain Bolt Have Run?”
b) Graph the inverse of the distance
function. What does it represent? State 10. Explain why f (x) 5 f 1(x) for any function
its domain and range. of the form f (x) 5 x  b.

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 11. Determine whether the two relations _9  
12. The equation y 5 ​   ​ x  32 can be used to
5
shown in each graph are inverses of each
convert between Celsius and Fahrenheit
other. Explain your reasoning.
temperatures, where x is the temperature,
a) in degrees Celsius, and y is the
y
x temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit.
—8 —6 —4 —2 0 2 4 6 8 a) Determine the inverse of this equation.
—2 What does it represent? What do the
g(x) f(x) variables represent?
—4
b) Graph the original and inverse
—6 equations on the same set of axes.
—8 c) What temperature is the same in Celsius
and Fahrenheit? Explain how you know.
b) 13. Chapter Problem At the traffic safety
y
10 bureau, Matthew determines that for a
f(x)
8 car travelling at approximately 100 km/h,
the stopping distance, in metres, once the
6 g(x) brakes are applied is approximately given
4
by d 5 2.8(t  5)2  70, where t is the
time, in seconds.
2
a) Determine the inverse of this function.
What does this represent in the context
—2 0 2 4 6 8 10 x
of the question?
—2
b) In the context, what should the domain
and range of the original function and
c) y
its inverse be?
4
c) Compare the distance travelled in the
g(x)
2 first 20 m of braking, the second 20 m of
braking, and the third 20 m of braking.
—2 0 2 x
14. Refer to Example 2 of Section 2.6. Use
—2
f(x) inverses to calculate the exact time a
—4 400-m drag race would take for each car.

15. For each quadratic function f (x),

d) i) determine f 1(x)
y
ii) graph f (x) and its inverse
4 f(x) iii) restrict the domain of f (x) to one branch
2 of the parabola so that f 1(x) is also a
function
—4 —2 0 2 4 x iv) graph f (x) and its inverse with the
—2 restricted domains
—4 a) f (x) 5 2x2
g(x)
b) f (x) 5 x2  2
c) f (x) 5 (x  3)2

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 16. a) Given the function f (x) 5 3x  7, _1  
20. a) Given the function f (x) 5 ​ x ​ , determine
determine the inverse. the inverse.
b) Determine the values of f (f  ) and f  (f ).
1 1
b) Use the graph of f (x) to explain your
That is, substitute the inverse equation answer for part a).
into the original and vice versa.
21. a) Given the function f (x) 5 ​  __
5   ​ 
,
c) Repeat parts a) and b) for f (x) 5 x2  6. 5x  16
determine the inverse.
d) Can you make a general statement about
b) State the domain and range of the
f (f 1) and f 1(f )?
function and its inverse.

Achievement Check 22. a) Use the property from question 16 to

test if f and g are inverses of each other.
17. A rock is thrown from the top of a 100-m
cliff. Its height, h, in metres, after t seconds i) f (x) 5 5x  20
can be modelled approximately by the g (x) 5 ​ _
x ​    4
5
function h(t) 5 100  5t2. ii) f (x) 5 x2  10x  27
a) Graph the function and state its domain
______
g (x) 5 ​ x  2 ​  5
and range.
iii) f (x) 5 (x  4)3  6
b) Determine the inverse of h(t) and state ______
3
its domain and range. Explain what this g (x) 5 
​    x  6 ​ 
4
inverse represents in the context of the _______
4
iv) f (x) 5 
​    x  10 ​ 
question.
c) A second rock is thrown upward off the g (x) 5 x4  10
cliff. Its height, h, in metres, after b) Use Technology Use graphing
t seconds can be modelled technology to verify your answers in
approximately by the function part a).
h(t) 5 100  10t  5t2. Solve for t by
finding the inverse. Then, determine at 23. Math Contest Given f (x) 5 x2  3x  3
what time the rock will hit the ground. and g (x) 5 f 1(x), a possible value for g(1)
is
C Extend A 4 B 0 C 1
18. a) Determine the inverse of the function D cannot be determined
______
f (x) 5 
​ x  3 ​ 
. 24. Math Contest Given that the function
b) State the domain and range of the f (x) is the single point (6, 2), then the
function and its inverse. distance from f (x) to f 1(x) is
__
c) Sketch the graphs of the function and A 8​ 2 ​  units B 64 units
its inverse. C 0 units D 16 units
19. The volume, V, of a sphere with radius r is
25. Math Contest The point (5, 1) is reflected
given by V 5 ​   ​ πr3. _4   in the line y 5 x  1. The image point is
3
a) Determine the inverse of the equation. A (1, 6) B (2, 5) C (0, 6) D (0, 5)
What does it represent?
26. Math Contest Determine the integral
b) State the domain and range of the
ordered pairs that solve the system of
function and its inverse in the context equations x  xy  y 5 19 and
of the question. x2y  xy 2 5 84.

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