Inverse of Linear Functions
Concept

Inverse of a Function

Every function has an inverse relation. If this inverse relation is also a function, then it is called an inverse function. In other words, the inverse of a function f is another function f^(- 1) such that they undo each other.


f(f^(- 1)(x))=x and f^(- 1)(f(x))=x

Therefore, f and f^(-1) are inverses of each other. Also, if x is the input of a function f and y its corresponding output, then y is the input of f^(- 1) and x its corresponding output.


f(x)=y ⇔ f^(- 1)(y)=x

Consider a function f and its inverse f^(- 1). f(x)=2x-3 and f^(-1)(x)= x+32

Why

Showing That the Functions Are Inverse.
The functions f(x)=2x-3 and f^(-1)(x)= x+32 will be shown to undo each other. To do so, it needs to be proven that f(f^(- 1)(x))=x and that f^(- 1)(f(x))=x. To start, the first equality will be proven. First, the definition of f will be used. f(f^(- 1)(x))? =x ⇕ 2f^(- 1)(x)-3? =x Now, in the above equation, x+32 will be substituted for f^(- 1)(x).
2f^(- 1)(x)-3? =x
2( x+3/2)-3? =x
Simplify left-hand side
(x+3)-3? =x
x+3-3? =x
x=x ✓
A similar procedure can be performed to show that f^(- 1)(f(x))=x.
Definition of First Function Substitute Second Function Simplify
f(f^(- 1)(x))? =x 2f^(- 1)(x)-3? =x 2( x+3/2)-3? =x x=x ✓
f^(- 1)(f(x))? =x f(x)+3/2? =x 2x-3+3/2? =x x=x ✓

Therefore, f and f^(- 1) undo each other. The graphs of these functions are each other's reflection across the line y=x. This means that the points on the graph of f^(- 1) are the reversed points on the graph of f.

Graph of the linear function f(x)=2*x-3 with a point (a,b) on it and the graph of its inverse function f^{-1}(x)=x/2+3/2 with a point (b,a) on it are depicted. The line of symmetry x=y for these functions is also shown.
Exercises