Relations and

Functions
Complex Numbers
Chapter Sections:
7
7.1 Concept of a Relation
7.2 Functions
7.3 Evaluation of Functions
7.4 Operations on Functions
7.5 Inverse Functions

Objectives:
At the end of each chapter, the student should be able to:
1. define relation;
z
2. state the different ways of describing relations;
3. identify relations that are functions;
4. find the domain and range of a relation and function;
5. use the Cartesian coordinate system as a tool in graphing;
6. evaluate functions;
7. perform operations on functions; and
8. find the inverse of a relation and inverse of a function.

M any real-life situations involve two quantities that are related to each
other by some rule of correspondence. For instance, the number of textbooks
to be ordered for a class depends on the number of students enrolled, the
gravitational attraction between two bodies depends on the distance between
them, and the gasoline consumed by a car depends of the distance traveled.
In mathematics, the idea of one thing depending on the other is important. It
is called a relation. This chapter discusses the concept of relation. Emphasis
is given on the treatment of the special type of relation known as a function.

154 Chapter 7 Relations and Functions Section

7.1 Concept of a Relation

7.1 CONCEPT OF A RELATION

 In different fields such mathematics, science, economics, medicine, engineering, and technol-
ogy, many applications deal with relationships between variable quantities. It is convenient to write
numerical data about these two variables as a set of ordered pairs. In this form, the data can be
used to develop a mathematical model to help solve mathematical, business, and scientific prob -
lems.

A pair of numbers (x, y) in which the order of occurrence of the numbers

Definition matters is called an ordered pair of numbers. Two ordered pairs (a, b)
and (c, d) are equal if and only if a = c and b = d.

Let us take a look, for instance, at the earnings of Analyd in her part-time job in a certain food
chain. Suppose she earns ₱25 an hour. Then her earnings are related to the number of hours that
she works. The table and diagram below show her earnings corresponding to the number of hours
she has worked in a week.

Set of Nos. of Set of Earn-

No. of Earning in Hours ings
Hours 8  
8 ₱200 ₱200
10 ₱250 10  
15 ₱375 15  ₱250
28 ₱700 28  
₱375

We can denote this table or diagram of pairs of values as a set of ordered pairs E = {(8, 200), (10,
250), (15, 375), (28, 700)}. This set of ordered pairs defines a relation between two variable quan-
tities.

Let A and B be sets. A relation is a correspondence of the elements of A

Definition with the elements of B such that every element of A is paired with at least
one element of B. A relation can also be defined as a set of ordered pairs of
real numbers.

Each ordered pair in a set consists of two components. The set of all first components of the
ordered pairs in a relation is the domain and the set of all second components the range. The fol-
lowing illustration gives a clear understanding of the definition of a relation for the sets
A {x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 } and B {y1 , y2 , y3 , y4 , y5 , y6 }.
R
A B

x1   y1
x2   y2
x3   y3
x4   y4
x5   y5
 y6

Each element of A is paired with at least one ele-

Section 7.1 Concept of ment of B
a Relation Chapter 7 Relations
and Functions 155
 Note: The set of all elements of A is the domain of R and the set of all elements of B is the codomain
of R. The set of all images in B (elements in B paired with elements in A) is the range of R. Hence, the
range is a subset of the codomain.

Example 7.1.1►In the diagram of the relation R in the previous page, we have the following:
Domain of R is A {x1, x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 }
Codomain of R is B {y1 , y2 , y3 , y4 , y5 , y6 }
Range of R is {y2 , y3 , y4 , y5 , y6 }

Example 7.1.2►In the relation E = {(8, 200), (10, 250), (15, 375), (28, 700)}, the domain of E is
{8, 10, 15, 28} and range of E is {200, 250, 375, 700}.

► Ways of Describing Relations◄

There are many ways of describing a relation. These are by:

1. Ordered Pairs such as R = { (1, 1), (2, 0), (3, 1), (4, 2), (5, 3), (6, 4)}

2. Table of Values as

x 1 2 3 4 5
6
y 1 0 1 2 3
3. Mapping Diagram as shown in the diagram below.
R :x  y
X Y
R maps x to y
1 1
2 0
3 2
4 1
5 3
6 4

4. Equation such as R {(x, y)| y  x  2} or simply y x  2

5. Graph

y
5

x
3 3 5 7

156 Chapter 7 Relations and Functions Section

7.2 Concept of a Relation

in the Cartesian plane ℝ2.

The concept of a relation as a set of ordered pairs leads to the following definition of the graph
of a relation. In this way, we can visualize graphically
 Definition The graph of a relation R is the set of all points (x, y) in the plane ℝ2 for
which (x, y) is an ordered pair in R.

Example 7.1.3►Graph the relation G ={(2, 1), (1, 2), (0, 3), (3, 5)}. Find the domain and range of
G.
Solution. The graph of G is obtained by plotting all ordered pairs in G. Hence, we have:
y

5 (3,
5)
(0,
3) (1,
2)
x
2 5
(2, 1)

The domain of G is the set of all first elements of the ordered pairs and the range is the set of all
second elements. Hence, we have

domain of G = {2, 1, 0, 3} range of G = {1, 2, 0, 5}

Example 7.1.4►Draw the graph of the relation R {(x, y)| y 2x  3}.
Solution. To be able to graph the given relation we tabulate some order pairs, plot them, and then
connect the points smoothly. y

Table of Val-
ues _ 
x 1 0 1 2 3 5_
4
3_ 
y 5 3 1 1 3 _
_ 
| | | | | | | | | | | | | x
5 3 _  3 5
2 _
_
_
 _

The method used in graphing the relation in Example 7.2.2 above is called a tabular method.

EXERCISE
7.1

A. Determine if the given set describes a function or simply a relation.

1. {(1, 2), (2, 3), (3, 4)} 2. {(3, 2), (1, 5), (3, 2), (2, 5)}
3. {(2, 1), (4, 1) , (2, 7) , (3, 0)} 4. {(x, y)| x2  y2 9 }

Section 7.2 Functions Chapter 7 Rela-

tions and Functions 157

5. {(x, y)| y  2x  4 } 6. {(x, y)| x  y2 1 }

B. Determine the domain and range of each of the following relations.

 1. {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3)} 2. {(3, 9), (1, 1), (3, 9), (2, 4)}
3. {(10, 1) , (40, 4), (20, 2), (30, 3)} 4. {(x, y) | x2  y2 25 }
5. {(x, y) | y  2x  3 } 6. {(x, y) | x  y2 1 }

7.2 FUNCTIONS

The term "function" was first used by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1673 to denote the depen-
dence of one quantity on another but it was first defined by the German mathematician Lejeune
Dirichlet (1805-1859). Many mathematical models use the concept of a function. The following defi-
nition formalizes this concept.

A function f from a set A to a set B is a rule of correspondence that assigns

Definition to each element x in A exactly one element y in B. This means that a func-
tion is a relation such that no two distinct ordered pairs have the same first
coordinate.

► Characteristics of a Function◄

1. Each element in the domain A must be matched with an element in the range, which is con-
tained in set B.
2. Some elements in the set B may not be matched with any element in the domain A.
3. Two or more elements of the domain may be matched with the same element in the range.
4. No element of the domain may be matched with two different elements in the range.

To determine whether a relation is a function is to make a mapping diagram. Write the ele-
ments of the domain in one region and the elements of the range in another. Draw arrows to show
how each element is mapped to another.

x1  y1
x2  y2 Function x1
x3  y3 y1 Function
x2
y1
x1 y2 Relation
y3

Example 7.2.1►Make a mapping diagram for each given relation and determine whether or not it
is a function.
a. B = {(0, 5), (5, 2), (5, 2), (2, 3)} b. C = (x, y)  y = 2x + 1, x = 0, 1, 2, 3}
Solution.

a. 0 5
2
5 Domain of B = {0, 5, 2} Range of B = {5, 2, 2, 3}
2
2 3

Thus, it is simply a relation.

158 Chapter 7 Relations and Functions Section
7.2 Concept of a Relation

b. C = {(x, y)  y = 2x + 1, x = 0, 1, 2, 3} = {(0, 1), (1, 3), (2, 5), (3, 7)}

0  1
1  3 Domain of C = {0, 1, 2, 3} Range of C = {1, 3, 5, 7}
2  5
3  7
Thus, it is a function.

If a relation is defined by a graph, we can determine whether a relation is a function by applying

the vertical line test.

Vertical Line Test

A graph in the plane ℝ2 represents a function if and only if no vertical line in-
tersects the graph at more than one point.

Example 7.2.2►For each relation defined by the graph, determine if it is a function.

y y


a. b.
x x


Solution.

a. This graph defines a function since any vertical line drawn cuts or intersects the graph at no
more than one point.
b. This second graph does not define a function since the vertical line drawn intersects the graph
at two points.

Example 7.2.3►Sketch the graph of each of the following relations. Determine the domain and
range. Use the vertical line test to determine the graph that represents a function.
1
a. D = {(x, y )  y = x2} b. E = {(x, y )  x = y2} c. y  d.
x
x
y
x3
Solution.
a. D = {(x, y )  y = x2 } y

Domain of D = {x | x  } _
Range of D = {y | y  , y 0}  4_ 
= set of all nonnegative real numbers _
2_
 _ 
x 0 1 1 2 2
 x
_
_
_

_
_
_

y 0 1 1 4 4 3 1
_ 1
2
Thus, it is a function.

Section 7.2 Functions Chapter 7 Rela-

tions and Functions 159
y

b. E = {(x, y )  x = y2}
2
Domain of E = {x | x  , x 0}
Range of E = {y | y  } x
2 4 6
2
 x 0 1 1 4 4
y 0 1 1 2 2

Thus, it is a relation.

1
c. y y
x
Domain = { x  x  , x  0 },
6
To find the range express x in terms of y: x = 1/y
Range = { y  y  , y  0 } 4
2
x 1 2 3 1 2 1/2 1/2 1/3 8 6 4 2
x
y 1 1/2 1/3 1 1/2 2 2 3 2 4 6 8
2

4
Thus, it is a function.
6
x y
d. y
x3
5
Domain = {x | x  , x 3}
Range = {y | y  , y 1} 3

x 0 1 1 2 4 3 2
y 0 1/2 1/4 2/5 4 1/2 2 x
7 4 4
2
Thus, it is a function.

► Function Notation◄

In order to discuss a function that relates the values of two variable quantities, the Swiss
mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) introduced the notation f (x) , read as “ f-function of x ”
or f of x, to denote a function. Thus, the equation y  f (x) defines y as a function of x where:

f  function name
x  the variable whose value is being assigned (independent variable)
y  the variable whose value depends on the choice of x (dependent variable)

from which it follows that

y or f (x)  the value of the function f at x or f evaluated at x.

Any letters can be used to name functions other than f. Hence F(x), G(x), H(x), v(x), and h(x)
mean different functions of x. The domain of a function is the set of all values (real numbers)
taken on by the independent variable, and the range of a function is the set of values (real num-
bers) taken on by the dependent variable. We will denote the domain of the function f by the follow-
ing notations, respectively:

Domain of f = Df Range of f = Rf

160 Chapter 7 Relations and Functions

Section 7.2 Functions

3
x2  4
Example 7.2.4►The relations f (x) 4x  4x  7 and g(x)  define functions of x.
x2  4
► Types of Functions◄
 There are several types of functions. For future reference, we list the following common types
of functions along with their respective domains and ranges.

1. Constant Function: f (x)  c , where c any constant

Df = = (, +) Rf = {y | y = c}

2. Linear Function: f (x)  mx  b , where m and b are constants with m 0

Df = = (, +) Rf = = (, +)

3. Quadratic Function: f (x)  ax2  bx  c , where a, b, and c are constants with a  0

Df =
 4ac  b2   4ac  b2 
If a > 0, Rf =  ,   .
 If a < 0, Rf =   , .
 4a   4a 

4. Power Function: f (x)  axn , where a  0 and n  ℕ

Df = = (, +)
If n is odd, then Rf = = (, +).
If n is even and

i. a > 0 , then Rf = [0, +) ii. a < 0 , Rf = (, 0]

5. Root Function

a. f (x)  n x , n  ℕ and n  2
If n is odd, Df = and Rf = .
If n is even, Df = [0, +) and Rf = [0, +).

b. f (x)  a 2  x2 , where a > 0

Df = [a, a] Rf = [0, a]

c. f (x)  x2  a 2 , where a > 0

Df = (, a]  [a, +) Rf = [0, +)

6. Absolute Value Function: f (x) | x|

Df = Rf = [0, +)

Example 7.2.5►Determine the domain and range of the given function.

2 x2
a. f (x)   3x 2  6x  2 b. g(x)  x 2  25 c. G(x)  x  4 d. F (x) 
x2 2x  3
Solution.

a. f (x)   3x 2  6x  2 . This is a quadratic function which can be expressed as

Section 7.2 Functions Chapter 7 Relations
and Functions 161

f (x)   3(x 2  2x)  2   3(x 2  2x  1)  3  2   3(x  1)2  5 .

Df = = (, +) Rf = (, 5]

  4ac  b2 
The range can also be obtained using the formula   ,  as given in this section. This
 4a 
formula gives
 2
  , 4( 3)(2)  ( 6)  = (, 5].
 4( 3)
 

b. g(x)  x 2  25 . This is a square root function that takes the form g(x)  x 2  a 2 with a = 5.

Dg = (, a]  [a, +) = (, 5]  [5, +) Rg = [0, +)

x2  4
c. G(x)  . We can simplify this quotient as follows.
x2
x 2  4 (x  2)(x  2)
G(x)    x  2 for x  2. When x = –2, the value of x – 2 = 2 – 2 = 4.
x2 x2

Hence, DG = (, 2)  (2, +) and RG = (, 4)  (4, +).

x2
d. F (x)  . This is a rational function that restricts the denominator to be a nonzero number.
2x  3

Hence, the DF =  { 3/2 }.

To get the range, we solve the given for x. Let y = F(x) so that
x2 3y  2
y  2xy  3y  x  2  x(2y  1) 3y  2  x
2x  3 2y  1

Hence, the RF =  { 1/2 }.

Example 7.2.6►Determine the domain.

4 x 5 2
a. f (x ) 
2
b. G(x)  x  8
x  9 | x  1|  2
Solution.

4 x
a. f (x )  . To get the domain, we first consider the domain of 4  x which is { x | x 
x2  9
4 }. The denominator does not need to be zero.

Hence, the domain of f is { x | x  4 } \ { 3, 3} = { x | x  4 except x = 3, 3} = (, 3) 

(3, 3)  (3, 4].
5 2
b. G(x)  x  8 . Since 5 x2  8 is defined for any real number x, the restriction is just in the
| x  1|  2
denominator. The denominator will be zero when

|x + 1|  2 = 0  |x + 1| = 2  x = 3 or x = 1.

The domain of G is \ { 3, 1 } = { x | x  \ x = 3, 1 } = (, 3)  (3, 1)  (1, +)

162 Chapter 7 Relations and Functions
Section 7.2 Functions

There are functions whose definition over a specified domain is given by two or more equa -
tions. For instance the absolute value function f (x) | x| may be defined by the two equations
f (x)  x if x 0 and f (x)   x if x  0 . Such a function is called a peicewise-defined function (or
split function).
 A piecewise-defined (split) function is a function defined by more than
Definition one equation at different parts of its domain.

Example 7.2.7►The following are piecewise-defined functions.

 1 ifx 0 
f (x )   4  x 2 if  2  x 2
a. b. g(x)  
 0 ifx  0  | x| if |x|  2

Example 7.2.8►Draw the graph of each of the following piecewise-defined functions.

  2 if x   2
 x2 if x 0
 
a. f (x)  b. f (x)   4  x2 if  2  x  0

  1 if x  0  x if x 0

Solution.
y
y

3 3

a. b.

x
  x
4 2 2
3 2

2  2

EXERCISE
7.2

A. Determine the domain and range of each of the following functions.

1. {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3)} 2. {(1, 9), (2, 9), (8, 2), (2, 4)}
3. {(0, 0) , (1, 2), (3, 4), (4, 5)} 4. {(x, y) | y 2x 2 }
5. {(x, y) | 2x  y 6 } 6. {(x, y) | x 2  y2 4 , 0  y 2 }

C. Determine whether the given graph represents a function of x.

y y

1. x 2.
x

Section 7.3 Evaluation of Functions Chapter 7 Rela -

tions and Functions 163

y y

3. x 4. x
 y
y

5.   6.

  x
  x

D. Find the domain and range of the given function.

1. f (x) 3x  2 2. g(x) 2x 2  12x  15 3. h(x) 3  2(x  2)2

4. g(x) 4x 2  9 5. f (x) 4x5 6. f (x)  5x  4
7. g(x)  1  x 8. G(x) 3 x 9. f (x) | x  2|
10. h(x)   | 3x  2|  4 11. f (x)  64  x 2 12. h(x)  x 2  4x  5

13. 14. 15.

g(x)  25  4x 2 f (x)  x 2  16 f (x)  9x 2  4
x 1 x 2  4x
16. f (x)  17. f (x)  18. G(x)  x  2
2
x 1 x 4 x 2
3x  2 x 1
19. G(x)  20. F (x) 
2  5x x2  2

E. Determine the domain of the given function.

x 2  2x x2  4 2 x 3
1. f (x)  2. G (x )  3. f (x) 
2 x 5
x  4x  5 3 | x  2|

4. (x  2)(x 2  x  3) 5. x 3x 4 6.
f (x)  h(x) 
x 1 9  x2
16x 2  9
f (x) 
3  2 x | x  1|

7. h(x) 
2x
8. | x 2  9| 9. 49  x2
H (x)  f (x) 
x 5  4 x x 2  3x  10 | x  1|  x2

F. Draw the graph of each of the following piecewise-defined functions.

 2 if x  0   2x if  5  x 0
1. f (x )   2. f (x )  
  2 if x 0  x if 2  x  5
 2  |x| if  3  x  3
 9 x if  3  x  0
3. f (x)   4. f (x)  
1 2
 x 2  9 if otherwise
  2x
 if x  0

 3 if x 0
 x 2  1 if x  0 

5. f (x )   6. f (x)  1  x2 if 0  x 1
 x  1 if x 0 
 x  1 if1  x  5

164 Chapter 7 Relations and Functions Section 7.3
Evaluation of Functions

7.3 EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONS

 To evaluate a function defined by y  f (x) means to find the value of f at the specified value of
x.

Example 7.3.1►Evaluate the function y 7x 2  3x  1 for x = 5, 1, 0, 5 and give the resulting or-
dered pairs.
Solution.
f (x) 7x 2  3x  1
f ( 5) 7( 5)2  3( 5)  1 159
f ( 1) 7( 1)2  3( 1)  1 3
f (0) 7(0)2  3(0)  1   1
f (5) 7(5)2  3(5)  1 189

Thus, the resulting ordered pairs are (5, 159), (1, 3), (0, 1), and (5, 189).

x
Example 7.3.2►Given that f (x)  2 , find the following.
x 1
a. f ( x) b. f (x  3) c.  f (x) d. 
f 1
x
Solution.
x x
a. f ( x )  
2 2
( x )  1 x  1
(x  3) x 3 x 3
b. f (x  3)   
2 2 2
(x  3)  1 x  6x  9  1 x  6x  10
 x   x x
c.  f (x)      
2 2 2
 x 1 x 1 x 1
1 1 1

f 1  x  x  x  1  x
d. x
x 
1 2  1 1  1 1  x2 1  x2 1  x2
x2
x2 x

x4
Example 7.3.3►If f (2x  4)  , find the following.
x 2
a. f (x) b. f (x  3) c. f ( y2 ) d. f  2

Solution. To find f (x) , we let y = 2x – 4 so that x  12 y  2 . Hence, we have.

1 y 2 4
x4 y  12
f (2x  4)   f ( y)  2 
x 2 1 y 2 2 y
2
a. x  12 b. x  3  12 x  9
f (x)  f (x  3)  
x x 3 x 3

y2  12  2  12 10
c. f ( y2 )  d. f ( 2)    5
2  2  2
y

Section 7.4 Operations on Functions Chapter 7 Relations

and Functions 165

EXERCISE
7.3
A. Do as indicated.
1. If f (x) 4  x , find each of the following:
1
a. f ( 1) b. f (2x) c. f (x  3) d.
f (x )
4  x2
2. If G(x)  , find each of the following:
x 1
a. G(2) b. G( 3) c. G( 3) d. G(1/ y)
2
3. Given that f is a function defined by f (x)  x  3x  5 , find f (0), f (2), f (k), and f (x + h).
F (x  a)  F (x)
4. Find where a  0, if F (x) 3x 2  4x  6 .
a
f (x  h)  f (x) 1
5. For the function f (x)  x  3 , show that  , h  0.
h x 3 h  x 3
 y 1
6. If f (4  3x) 5x  12 , find f (x) , f (x  2) , f   , f (5) , f ( 1/ 3)
 y  1
 3x  6x  5  x  2  y 2
7. If f   , find f   , f (x  2) , f   , f (1) , f ( 1)
 x  2  4x  3  3x   y 2
  2x if  5  x 0
8. If f (x)   , find f (3) , f ( 3) , f (0) , f ( 9
2 ,
) f (5)
 x if 2  x  5
 5 if x 0

 2
9. If f (x)  1  x if 0 x 1 , find f ( 3) , f (1/ 4) , f (1) , f (2) , f (5)

 x  1 if1  x  5


7.4 OPERATION ON FUNCTIONS

In this section, we discuss how functions can be combined by addition, subtraction, multiplica-
tion, and division to form new functions, including composition of functions.

Sum, Difference, Product, and Quotient of Functions

Let f and g be any two functions. The functions f  g , f  g ,

f g , and f / g are defined as follows.

1. Sum (f  g)(x)  f (x)  g(x)

2. Difference (f  g)(x)  f (x)  g(x)
3. Product (f g)(x)  f (x) g(x)

4. Quotient (f / g)(x)  f (x) / g(x) , g(x)  0

The domain of each of these resulting functions consists of

all values of x common to the domains of f and g except for the
quotient in which g(x)  0.

166 Chapter 7 Relations and Functions Section 7.4

Operations on Functions
Example 7.4.1►If f (x)  2x  8 and g(x)  4  3x , then we have the following, find ( f  g)(x) ,
( f  g)(x) , ( f g)(x) , and ( f / g)(x) .
Solution.

a. ( f  g)(x)  f (x)  g(x) c. ( f g)(x)  f (x) g(x)

 (2x  8)  (4  3x)  (2x  8)(4  3x)
 x  4   6x 2  32x  32

b. ( f  g)(x)  f (x)  g(x) d. ( f / g)(x)  f (x) / g(x)

 (2x  8)  (4  3x) 2x  8
 2x  8  4  3x 
4  3x
 5x  12

► Composition of Functions◄

The composition of two functions can be thought of as a “chain reaction”, in which the func-
tions occur one after the other.

Let f and g be any two functions. The composition of f with g is the func-
tion f  g defined by

Definition (f  g)(x)  f (g(x))

The domain of the composite function f  g is the set of all values of x in the
domain of g such that g(x) belongs to the domain of f.

Example 7.4.2►If f (x)  x 2 and g(x)  4  3x , find f  g and g  f .

Solution.

a. ( f  g)(x)  f ( g(x)) b. ( g  f )(x)  g( f (x))

 f (4  3x)  g(x 2 )
(4  3x)2  4  3x 2
16  24x  x 2

Example 7.4.3►If ( f  g)(x) 

2x  3
x5
f

and g(x  1) 4  5x , find (a) f (x) , (b) g (x) and (c) ( g  f )(x) .

Solution. Let y = x + 1. Then

a. g(x  1) 4  5x  g( y) 4  5( y  1) 9  5y so that g(x) 9  5x .

2x  3
( f  g)(x)  f ( g(x))   f (9  5x)
x5
9 w
Let w 9  5x so that x  .
5
 9 w 
2  3
5  18  2w  15 2w  3 2x  3
f (w)   =   f (x) 
9 w 9  w  25 w  34 x  34
5
5
Chapter 7 Relations and Functions Section 7.4 Opera-
tions on Functions 167
 2x  3
b. f 2x  3
 (x)  x  34 
 g 9  5x (x  34)(9  5x)

 2x  3   2x  3  9x  306 10x  15  x  291 x  291

( g  f )(x)  g( f (x))  g   9  5    
 x  34   x  34  x  34 x  34 34  x

EXERCISE
7.4
A. For each given pair of functions, find each of the following: (f + g)(x), (f  g)(x), (f  g)(x), and
f
 g (x)
 
1. f (x)  x and g(x)   3 4. f (x) x 2  5 and g(x)   x 2  x
2 x
2. f (x) 2  5x and g(x)  2x  5 5. f (x )  and g(x) 
x 5 3  4x
3. f (x) 3x  2 and g(x)  3x  9 6. f (x)  x and g(x)  2  x

B. Find ( f  g)(x) and ( g  f )(x) for each given pair of functions. Determine the domains of these
compositions of functions.
1 2
1. f (x)  3x and g(x)  4x  10 4. f ( x)  and g(x) 
3x  1 3 x
2. f (x)  2x 2  5 and g(x) 5x 5. f (x)  2x  1 and g(x) x 2  9
x2
3. f (x)  x  5 and g(x) x 2  5 6. f (x)  and g(x)  x  4
x2  4

C. Let H (x)  2x 2  5 and G(x)  5x  5 . Evaluate each of the following.

1. (H  G )( 2) 3. 2G( f (3))
2. (H  G )(1) 4. (H  G )((H / G )( 1))

D. Do as indicated.
1. If f ( g(x)) 2x  4 and g(x)   3x , find f (x) .
2
2. If ( g  f )(x)  and g(x) 1  2x , find f (x) .
x 3
1 2
3. If f (x)  and g(x)  , define (a) f  g (b) g  f . Also determine the domain of each
1  3x x
composite function.
 x  2x  4 3
4. If ( f  g)   and f (x)  , find g(x) .
 x  2 x5 x 2
 3x  5 
5. If g   4x  7 , find g(2x  3) .
 4 
x 3 f
6. If ( f  g)(x)  and g(x  1) 4  x , find (a) f (x) , (b)  (x) and (c) ( g  f )(x) . What are
x2  g
f
the domains of  (x) and g  f (x) ?
 g

168 Chapter 7 Relations and Functions Sec-

tion 7.5 Inverse Functions
 7.5 INVERSE FUNCTIONS

If we interchange the first and second coordinates of each of the ordered pairs of a relation,
we get another relation called its inverse.

The inverse of a relation is the relation obtained by interchanging the first

Definition
and second coordinates in every pair of the original relation.

The domain of a relation is the range of its inverse relation. The range of a relation is the do-
main of its inverse relation.

► Graph of an Inverse Relation◄

 y
C 6_
_ Mirror (y =
B
_ x)
3_ A  B
_ 
_ A
_ x
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_

3 3 6
_
 C
2 _

The points of R : A(1, 2) The points of R  1 : A(2, 1)

B(3, 4) B(4, 3)
C(2, 6) C(6, 2)

Note that each point of the inverse relation R1 is the mirror image of the corresponding point
of the relation R, that is, for every point (a, b) on the relation R, there corresponds a point (b, a) on
its inverse R1. If the inverse of a relation defines a function then, we call it an inverse function. A re-
lation that defines a function does not always have an inverse function.

Let f and g be two functions. The functions f and g are inverse functions if
and only if
Definition ( f  g)(x)  x for every x in the domain of g and

( g  f )(x)  x for every x in the domain of f.

We use the notation f  1 to represent the inverse of the function f.

►Steps in Finding Inverse of a Given Function◄

1. Write y  f (x) .
2. Interchange x and y.
3. Solve this equation for y, if possible, in terms of x.
4. If the resulting equation defines a function, then it is the inverse function and we write
y  f  1 (x).

Chapter 7 Relations and Functions Section 7.5 In-

verse Functions 169
Example 7.5.1►Find the inverse of the function f (x) 2x  4 . Sketch the graph of f and f  1 on the
same
coordinate plane.
Solution. Let y = f(x).

Given function: y  2x  4
Domain: Range:

y
To find the inverse of a function interchange
x and y and solve for y. _
_
Hence, we have y 2x  4 _
_3
x  2y  4 _
x  4  2y _
| | | | | _ | | | | | x
x 4
 2 y _ 4
2 _ x
y  2
1 x _ 2
Therefore, the inverse function f is y   2 .
2 _ 4
Domain of f  1 = _

Range of f  1 =

The graphs of f and f  1 are symmetric with respect to the line y = x.

x4
Example 7.5.2►Find the inverse of the function f (x)  , if it exists.
3  3x
x4
Solution. Let y = f(x). Then y  . For the inverse of f, we interchange x and y and solve for y.
3  3x
Hence, we have

y 4
x
3  3y
3x  3xy  y  4
3x  4  y  3xy
3x  4  y(1  3x)
3x  4
y
1  3x

3x  4
This defines a function and therefore the inverse function exists, which is f  1(x)  .
1  3x

EXERCISE
7.5

A. Find the inverse of each relation.

1. {(2, 5), (3, 7), (9, 8)} 2. y   3x  4
3. f (x) x3  8 4. y  x2  1

5. 6.

170 Chapter 7 Relations and Functions Sec-

tion 7.5 Inverse Functions
B. Find the inverse function of each if it exists.
4  7x
1. g(x) 3x  1 2. y
3
3. g(x) x  3 4. y 12  4x2
5. y2 4x  9 6. y  2x 2
7. f (x)  x3 8. y  x2  4
x x 2
9. y 10. y 
x 1 x3
11. y2 x  6 , y  0 12. y  x 2  4x
13. y  x3  3x 2  3x 14. x 2  y2 25, 0  y  5