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Section 1.7 Inverse Functions 147

1.7 Inverse Functions

Inverse Functions What you should learn
䊏 Find inverse functions informally and
Recall from Section 1.3 that a function can be represented by a set of ordered verify that two functions are inverse
pairs. For instance, the function f x ⫽ x ⫹ 4 from the set A ⫽ 1, 2, 3, 4 to the functions of each other.
set B ⫽ 5, 6, 7, 8 can be written as follows. 䊏 Use graphs of functions to decide whether
functions have inverse functions.
f x ⫽ x ⫹ 4: 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, 4, 8 䊏 Determine if functions are one-to-one.
In this case, by interchanging the first and second coordinates of each of these 䊏 Find inverse functions algebraically.
ordered pairs, you can form the inverse function of f, which is denoted by f ⫺1. Why you should learn it
It is a function from the set B to the set A, and can be written as follows.
Inverse functions can be helpful in further
f ⫺1x ⫽ x ⫺ 4: 5, 1, 6, 2, 7, 3, 8, 4 exploring how two variables relate to each
other. For example, in Exercises 103 and 104
Note that the domain of f is equal to the range of f ⫺1, and vice versa, as shown on page 156, you will use inverse functions
in Figure 1.82. Also note that the functions f and f ⫺1 have the effect of “undoing” to find the European shoe sizes from the
each other. In other words, when you form the composition of f with f ⫺1 or the corresponding U.S. shoe sizes.
composition of f ⫺1 with f, you obtain the identity function.
f  f ⫺1x ⫽ f x ⫺ 4 ⫽ x ⫺ 4 ⫹ 4 ⫽ x
f ⫺1 f x ⫽ f ⫺1x ⫹ 4 ⫽ x ⫹ 4 ⫺ 4 ⫽ x

f (x) = x + 4
Domain of f Range of f

x f(x)

Range of f −1 Domain of f −1 LWA-Dann Tardif/Corbis

−1
f (x) = x − 4
Figure 1.82

Example 1 Finding Inverse Functions Informally

Find the inverse function of f(x) ⫽ 4x. Then verify that both f  f ⫺1x and STUDY TIP
f ⫺1 f x are equal to the identity function.
Don’t be confused by the use
Solution of the exponent ⫺1 to denote
The function f multiplies each input by 4. To “undo” this function, you need to the inverse function f ⫺1. In this
divide each input by 4. So, the inverse function of f x ⫽ 4x is given by text, whenever f ⫺1 is written,
it always refers to the inverse
x function of the function f and
f ⫺1x ⫽ .
4 not to the reciprocal of f x,
You can verify that both f  f ⫺1x and f ⫺1 f x are equal to the identity function which is given by
as follows. 1
.
f x
 4  ⫽ 4 4  ⫽ x
x x 4x
f  f ⫺1x ⫽ f f ⫺1 f x ⫽ f ⫺14x ⫽ ⫽x
4

Now try Exercise 1.

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148 Chapter 1 Functions and Their Graphs

Example 2 Finding Inverse Functions Informally

Find the inverse function of f x ⫽ x ⫺ 6. Then verify that both f  f ⫺1x and
f ⫺1 f x are equal to the identity function.

Solution
The function f subtracts 6 from each input. To “undo” this function, you need to
add 6 to each input. So, the inverse function of f x ⫽ x ⫺ 6 is given by
f ⫺1x ⫽ x ⫹ 6.
You can verify that both f  f ⫺1x and f ⫺1 f x are equal to the identity function
as follows.
f  f ⫺1x ⫽ f x ⫹ 6 ⫽ x ⫹ 6 ⫺ 6 ⫽ x
f ⫺1 f x ⫽ f ⫺1x ⫺ 6 ⫽ x ⫺ 6 ⫹ 6 ⫽ x

Now try Exercise 3.

A table of values can help you understand inverse functions. For instance, the
following table shows several values of the function in Example 2. Interchange
the rows of this table to obtain values of the inverse function.

x ⫺2 ⫺1 0 1 2 x ⫺8 ⫺7 ⫺6 ⫺5 ⫺4
f x ⫺8 ⫺7 ⫺6 ⫺5 ⫺4 f ⫺1x ⫺2 ⫺1 0 1 2

In the table at the left, each output is 6 less than the input, and in the table at the
right, each output is 6 more than the input.
The formal definition of an inverse function is as follows.

Definition of Inverse Function

Let f and g be two functions such that
f gx ⫽ x for every x in the domain of g
and
g f x ⫽ x for every x in the domain of f.
Under these conditions, the function g is the inverse function of the
function f. The function g is denoted by f ⫺1 (read “f-inverse”). So,
f  f ⫺1x ⫽ x and f ⫺1 f x ⫽ x.
The domain of f must be equal to the range of f ⫺1, and the range of f must
be equal to the domain of f ⫺1.

If the function g is the inverse function of the function f, it must also be true
that the function f is the inverse function of the function g. For this reason, you
can say that the functions f and g are inverse functions of each other.
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Section 1.7 Inverse Functions 149

Example 3 Verifying Inverse Functions Algebraically

Show that the functions are inverse functions of each other.

f x ⫽ 2x3 ⫺ 1 and gx ⫽ x ⫹2 1

3
Point out to students that when using a
graphing utility, it is important to know a
Solution
function’s behavior because the graphing
utility may show an incomplete function.

x ⫹2 1  ⫽ 2 x ⫹2 1  ⫺ 1
3
f  gx ⫽ f 3 3 For instance, it is important to know that the
domain of f x ⫽ x 2
3 is all real numbers,
because a graphing utility may show an
⫽2 x ⫹2 1 ⫺ 1 incomplete graph of the function, depending
on how the function was entered.

⫽x⫹1⫺1
⫽x

2x ⫺ 1 ⫹ 1
3
g f x ⫽ g2x3 ⫺ 1 ⫽ 3 TECHNOLOGY TIP
2
Most graphing utilities can graph
y ⫽ x1
3 in two ways:
⫽  3
2x 3
2 y1 ⫽ x 1
3 or
⫽ 
3 x3
y1 ⫽ 
3
x.
⫽x However, you may not be able
Now try Exercise 15. to obtain the complete graph
of y ⫽ x2
3 by entering
y1 ⫽ x 2
3. If not, you
Example 4 Verifying Inverse Functions Algebraically should use

5 y1 ⫽ x 1
3 2 or
Which of the functions is the inverse function of f x ⫽ ?
x⫺2 y1 ⫽ 
3 x2 .

x⫺2 5
gx ⫽ or hx ⫽ ⫹2 5
y = x2/3
5 x

Solution
By forming the composition of f with g, you have −6 6

x⫺2
 
5 25
f  gx ⫽ f ⫽ ⫽ ⫽ x.
x⫺2 x ⫺ 12 −3
 
5
⫺2
5
y= 3
x2
Because this composition is not equal to the identity function x, it follows that g 5
is not the inverse function of f. By forming the composition of f with h, you have

 x ⫹ 2 ⫽
5 5 5
f hx ⫽ f ⫽ ⫽ x. −6 6
 x ⫹ 2 ⫺ 2  
5 5
x
−3
So, it appears that h is the inverse function of f. You can confirm this by showing
that the composition of h with f is also equal to the identity function.
Now try Exercise 19.
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150 Chapter 1 Functions and Their Graphs

The Graph of an Inverse Function

TECHNOLOGY TIP
The graphs of a function f and its inverse function f ⫺1 are related to each other in
the following way. If the point a, b lies on the graph of f, then the point b, a In Examples 3 and 4, inverse
must lie on the graph of f ⫺1, and vice versa. This means that the graph of f ⫺1 is functions were verified
a reflection of the graph of f in the line y ⫽ x, as shown in Figure 1.83. algebraically. A graphing utility
can also be helpful in checking
y y=x whether one function is the
inverse function of another
function. Use the Graph
y = f ( x) Reflection Program found at
this textbook’s Online Study
Center to verify Example 4
(a , b) graphically.
y = f −1 (x)

(b , a )

Figure 1.83

Example 5 Verifying Inverse Functions Graphically

and Numerically
Verify that the functions f and g from Example 3 are inverse functions of each
other graphically and numerically.

Graphical Solution Numerical Solution

You can verify that f and g are inverse functions of each other You can verify that f and g are inverse functions of each
graphically by using a graphing utility to graph f and g in the other numerically. Begin by entering the compositions
same viewing window. (Be sure to use a square setting.) f gx and g f x into a graphing utility as follows.
From the graph in Figure 1.84, you can verify that the graph
  ⫺1
3
of g is the reflection of the graph of f in the line y ⫽ x. x⫹1
y1 ⫽ f gx ⫽ 2 3
2
x+1

2x
g(x) = 3 3 ⫺ 1 ⫹ 1
2 y=x
4 y2 ⫽ g f x ⫽ 3
2
Then use the table feature of the graphing utility to
−6 6 create a table, as shown in Figure 1.85. Note that the
entries for x, y1, and y2 are the same. So, f gx ⫽ x and
g f x ⫽ x. You can now conclude that f and g are
−4
f(x) = 2x3 − 1 inverse functions of each other.

Figure 1.84

Now try Exercise 25. Figure 1.85

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Section 1.7 Inverse Functions 151

The Existence of an Inverse Function

Consider the function f x ⫽ x2. The first table at the right is a table of values for
f x ⫽ x2. The second table was created by interchanging the rows of the first x ⫺2 ⫺1 0 1 2
table. The second table does not represent a function because the input x ⫽ 4 is f(x) 4 1 0 1 4
matched with two different outputs: y ⫽ ⫺2 and y ⫽ 2. So, f x ⫽ x2 does not
have an inverse function.
To have an inverse function, a function must be one-to-one, which means
that no two elements in the domain of f correspond to the same element in the
range of f. x 4 1 0 1 4
g(x) ⫺2 ⫺1 0 1 2
Definition of a One-to-One Function
A function f is one-to-one if, for a and b in its domain, f a ⫽ f b implies
that a ⫽ b.

Existence of an Inverse Function y

A function f has an inverse function f ⫺1 if and only if f is one-to-one. 3

y = x2

From its graph, it is easy to tell whether a function of x is one-to-one. Simply 2

check to see that every horizontal line intersects the graph of the function at most
once. This is called the Horizontal Line Test. For instance, Figure 1.86 shows 1
(−1, 1) (1, 1)
the graph of y ⫽ x2. On the graph, you can find a horizontal line that intersects
x
the graph twice. −2 −1 1 2
Two special types of functions that pass the Horizontal Line Test are those
that are increasing or decreasing on their entire domains. −1

1. If f is increasing on its entire domain, then f is one-to-one. Figure 1.86 f x ⴝ x 2 is not

2. If f is decreasing on its entire domain, then f is one-to-one. one-to-one.

Example 6 Testing for One-to-One Functions

Is the function f x ⫽ x ⫹ 1 one-to-one?

Algebraic Solution Graphical Solution

Let a and b be nonnegative real numbers with f a ⫽ f b. Use a graphing utility to graph the function
y ⫽ x ⫹ 1. From Figure 1.87, you can see that a
a ⫹ 1 ⫽ b ⫹ 1 Set f a ⫽ f b.
horizontal line will intersect the graph at most once
a ⫽ b and the function is increasing. So, f is one-to-one and
does have an inverse function.
a⫽b
So, f a ⫽ f b implies that a ⫽ b. You can conclude that f is 5
y= x+1
one-to-one and does have an inverse function.

−2 7

−1

Now try Exercise 55. Figure 1.87

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152 Chapter 1 Functions and Their Graphs

Finding Inverse Functions Algebraically TECHNOLOGY TIP

For simple functions, you can find inverse functions by inspection. For more Many graphing utilities have
complicated functions, however, it is best to use the following guidelines. a built-in feature for drawing an
inverse function. To see how this
works, consider the function
Finding an Inverse Function f x ⫽ x . The inverse function
1. Use the Horizontal Line Test to decide whether f has an inverse of f is given by f ⫺1x ⫽ x2,
function. x ≥ 0. Enter the function
y1 ⫽ x. Then graph it in the
2. In the equation for f x, replace f x by y.
standard viewing window and
3. Interchange the roles of x and y, and solve for y. use the draw inverse feature.
4. Replace y by f ⫺1x in the new equation. You should obtain the figure
5. Verify that f and f ⫺1 are inverse functions of each other by showing below, which shows both f and
that the domain of f is equal to the range of f ⫺1, the range of f is its inverse function f ⫺1. For
equal to the domain of f ⫺1, and f  f ⫺1x ⫽ x and f ⫺1 f x ⫽ x. instructions on how to use
the draw inverse feature, see
Appendix A; for specific
The function f with an implied domain of all real numbers may not pass the keystrokes, go to this textbook’s
Horizontal Line Test. In this case, the domain of f may be restricted so that f does Online Study Center.
have an inverse function. For instance, if the domain of f x ⫽ x2 is restricted to
f −1(x) = x2, x ≥ 0
the nonnegative real numbers, then f does have an inverse function.
10

Example 7 Finding an Inverse Function Algebraically

−10 10
5 ⫺ 3x
Find the inverse function of f x ⫽ .
2
−10
Solution f(x) = x
The graph of f in Figure 1.88 passes the Horizontal Line Test. So you know that
f is one-to-one and has an inverse function.
5 ⫺ 3x 5 − 2x
f x ⫽ Write original function. f −1(x) =
2 3
3
5 ⫺ 3x
y⫽ Replace f x by y.
2
5 ⫺ 3y −2 4
x⫽ Interchange x and y.
2
−1
2x ⫽ 5 ⫺ 3y Multiply each side by 2. 5 − 3x
f(x) =
2
3y ⫽ 5 ⫺ 2x Isolate the y-term.
Figure 1.88
5 ⫺ 2x The draw inverse feature is particularly
y⫽ Solve for y.
3 useful if you cannot find an expression for
the inverse function of a given function.
5 ⫺ 2x For example, it would be very difficult to
f ⫺1x ⫽ Replace y by f ⫺1x. determine the equation for the inverse
3
function of the one-to-one function
The domains and ranges of f and f ⫺1 consist of all real numbers. Verify that f x ⫽ 14 x 5 ⫹ 14 x 3 ⫹ 12 x ⫺ 1.
f  f ⫺1x ⫽ x and f ⫺1 f x ⫽ x.
However, it is easy to use the technique
Now try Exercise 59. outlined above to obtain the graph of the
inverse function.
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Section 1.7 Inverse Functions 153

Example 8 Finding an Inverse Function Algebraically

Find the inverse function of f x ⫽ x3 ⫺ 4 and use a graphing utility to graph f
and f ⫺1 in the same viewing window.

Solution
f x ⫽ x3 ⫺ 4 Write original function.

y ⫽ x3 ⫺ 4 Replace f x by y.
f −1(x) = 3
x+4 y=x
x ⫽ y3 ⫺ 4 Interchange x and y. 4

y3 ⫽ x ⫹ 4 Isolate y.
−9 9
y⫽
3 x ⫹ 4
Solve for y.

f ⫺1x ⫽ 
3 x ⫹ 4
Replace y by f ⫺1x. f(x) = x3 − 4
−8
The graph of f in Figure 1.89 passes the Horizontal Line Test. So, you know that f
is one-to-one and has an inverse function. The graph of f ⫺1 in Figure 1.89 is the Figure 1.89
reflection of the graph of f in the line y ⫽ x. Verify that f  f ⫺1x ⫽ x and
f ⫺1 f x ⫽ x.
Now try Exercise 61.

Activities
Example 9 Finding an Inverse Function Algebraically 1. Given f x ⫽ 5x ⫺ 7, find f ⫺1x.
Find the inverse function of f x ⫽ 2x ⫺ 3 and use a graphing utility to graph x⫹7
Answer: f ⫺1x ⫽
5
f and f ⫺1 in the same viewing window.
2. Show that f and g are inverse functions
by showing that f gx ⫽ x and
Solution g f x ⫽ x.
f x ⫽ 2x ⫺ 3 Write original function. f x ⫽ 3x3 ⫹ 1
y ⫽ 2x ⫺ 3 Replace f x by y.
gx ⫽ x ⫺3 1
3

x ⫽ 2y ⫺ 3 Interchange x and y. 3. Describe the graphs of functions that

have inverse functions and show how
x2 ⫽ 2y ⫺ 3 Square each side.
the graph of a function and its inverse
2y ⫽ x 2 ⫹ 3 Isolate y. function are related.

x2 ⫹3
y⫽ Solve for y.
2
x2 ⫹ 3 f −1(x) =
x2 + 3
,x≥0
f ⫺1x ⫽ , x ≥ 0 Replace y by f ⫺1x. 2
2 f(x) = 2x − 3
5
The graph of f in Figure 1.90 passes the Horizontal Line Test. So you know that
f is one-to-one and has an inverse function. The graph of f ⫺1 in Figure 1.90 is the (0, 32(
reflection of the graph of f in the line y ⫽ x. Note that the range of f is the inter-
val 0, ⬁, which implies that the domain of f ⫺1 is the interval 0, ⬁. Moreover, −2
(32 , 0( 7
the domain of f is the interval 32, ⬁, which implies that the range of f ⫺1 is the
interval 32, ⬁. Verify that f  f ⫺1x ⫽ x and f ⫺1 f x ⫽ x.
−1
y=x

Now try Exercise 65. Figure 1.90

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154 Chapter 1 Functions and Their Graphs

1.7 Exercises See www.CalcChat.com for worked-out solutions to odd-numbered exercises.

Vocabulary Check
Fill in the blanks.

1. If the composite functions f gx ⫽ x and g f x ⫽ x, then the function g is the _______ function of f,
and is denoted by _______ .
2. The domain of f is the _______ of f ⫺1, and the _______ of f ⫺1 is the range of f.
3. The graphs of f and f ⫺1 are reflections of each other in the line _______ .
4. To have an inverse function, a function f must be _______ ; that is, f a ⫽ f b implies a ⫽ b.
5. A graphical test for the existence of an inverse function is called the _______ Line Test.

In Exercises 1– 8, find the inverse function of f informally. 18. f x ⫽ 9 ⫺ x 2, x ≥ 0; gx ⫽ 9 ⫺ x

Verify that f  f ⫺1x ⴝ x and f ⫺1 f x ⴝ x.
19. f x ⫽ 1 ⫺ x 3, gx ⫽ 
3 1 ⫺ x

1. f x ⫽ 6x 2. f x ⫽ 1
3x 1 1⫺x
20. f x ⫽ , x ≥ 0; gx ⫽ , 0 < x ≤ 1
3. f x ⫽ x ⫹ 7 4. f x ⫽ x ⫺ 3 1⫹x x
x⫺1
5. f x ⫽ 2x ⫹ 1 6. f x ⫽ In Exercises 21–24, match the graph of the function with
4
the graph of its inverse function. [The graphs of the inverse
7. f x ⫽ 
3 x
8. f x ⫽ x 5 functions are labeled (a), (b), (c), and (d).]

In Exercises 9–14, (a) show that f and g are inverse (a) 7 (b) 7
functions algebraically and (b) use a graphing utility to
create a table of values for each function to numerically
show that f and g are inverse functions.
−3 9 −3 9
7 2x ⫹ 6 −1 −1
9. f x ⫽ ⫺ x ⫺ 3, gx ⫽ ⫺
2 7
(c) 4 (d) 4
x⫺9
10. f x ⫽ , gx ⫽ 4x ⫹ 9
4
−6 6 −6 6
11. f x ⫽ x3 ⫹ 5, gx ⫽ 
3
x⫺5
x3
12. f x ⫽ , gx ⫽ 
3 2x
−4 −4
2
13. f x ⫽ ⫺ x ⫺ 8, gx ⫽ 8 ⫹ x2, x ≤ 0 21. 4 22. 7

x3 ⫹ 10
14. f x ⫽ 
3
3x ⫺ 10, gx ⫽
3 −6 6

−3 9
In Exercises 15–20, show that f and g are inverse functions
algebraically. Use a graphing utility to graph f and g in the −4 −1
same viewing window. Describe the relationship between 23. 7 24. 4
the graphs.
15. f x ⫽ x 3, gx ⫽ 
3
x −6 6
1 1
16. f x ⫽ , gx ⫽ −3 9
x x −1 −4
17. f x ⫽ x ⫺ 4; gx ⫽ x 2 ⫹ 4, x ≥ 0
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Section 1.7 Inverse Functions 155

In Exercises 25–28, show that f and g are inverse functions   

45. hx ⫽ x ⫹ 4 ⫺ x ⫺ 4 
(a) graphically and (b) numerically.
46. f x ⫽ ⫺ x ⫺ 6

25. f x ⫽ 2x, gx ⫽

x x ⫹ 6
2
In Exercises 47–58, determine algebraically whether the
26. f x ⫽ x ⫺ 5, gx ⫽ x ⫹ 5
function is one-to-one. Verify your answer graphically.
x⫺1 5x ⫹ 1
27. f x ⫽ , gx ⫽ ⫺ 47. f x ⫽ x 4 48. gx ⫽ x 2 ⫺ x 4
x⫹5 x⫺1
x⫹3 2x ⫹ 3 3x ⫹ 4
28. f x ⫽ , gx ⫽ 49. f x ⫽ 50. f x ⫽ 3x ⫹ 5
x⫺2 x⫺1 5
1 4
51. f x ⫽ 52. hx ⫽
In Exercises 29–34, determine if the graph is that of a func- x2 x2
tion. If so, determine if the function is one-to-one.
53. f x ⫽ x ⫹ 32, x ≥ ⫺3
29. y 30. y
54. qx ⫽ x ⫺ 52, x ≤ 5
55. f x ⫽ 2x ⫹ 3
56. f x ⫽ x ⫺ 2
x
x

57. f x ⫽ x ⫺ 2 ,  x ≤ 2
x2
58. f x ⫽
x2 ⫹ 1

31. y 32. y In Exercises 59 – 68, find the inverse function of f

algebraically. Use a graphing utility to graph both f and f ⴚ1
in the same viewing window. Describe the relationship
between the graphs.
59. f x ⫽ 2x ⫺ 3 60. f x ⫽ 3x
x x 61. f x ⫽ x 5 62. f x ⫽ x 3 ⫹ 1
63. f x ⫽ x 3
5 64. f x ⫽ x 2, x ≥ 0
65. f x ⫽ 4 ⫺ x 2, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2
33. y 34. y
66. f x ⫽ 16 ⫺ x2, ⫺4 ≤ x ≤ 0
4 6
67. f x ⫽ 68. f x ⫽
x x
x
x Think About It In Exercises 69–78, restrict the domain of
the function f so that the function is one-to-one and has an
inverse function. Then find the inverse function f ⴚ1. State
the domains and ranges of f and f ⴚ1. Explain your results.
In Exercises 35 – 46, use a graphing utility to graph the (There are many correct answers.)
function and use the Horizontal Line Test to determine
whether the function is one-to-one and so has an inverse 69. f x ⫽ x ⫺ 2 2
function exists. 70. f x ⫽ 1 ⫺ x 4
35. f x ⫽ 3 ⫺ 12x 36. f x ⫽ 14x ⫹ 2 2 ⫺ 1 
71. f x ⫽ x ⫹ 2 
x 2
4⫺x 
72. f x ⫽ x ⫺ 2 
37. hx ⫽ 38. gx ⫽ 73. f x ⫽ x ⫹ 32
x2 ⫹ 1 6x2
39. hx ⫽ 16 ⫺ x 2 40. f x ⫽ ⫺2x16 ⫺ x 2 74. f x ⫽ x ⫺ 42
41. f x ⫽ 10 42. f x ⫽ ⫺0.65 75. f x ⫽ ⫺2x2 ⫹ 5

43. gx ⫽ x ⫹ 53 76. f x ⫽ 12x2 ⫺ 1

44. f x ⫽ x5 ⫺ 7 
77. f x ⫽ x ⫺ 4 ⫹ 1 

78. f x ⫽ ⫺ x ⫺ 1 ⫺ 2 
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156 Chapter 1 Functions and Their Graphs

In Exercises 79 and 80, use the graph of the function f to 95. 共 f ⫺1 ⬚ f ⫺1兲共6兲 96. 共g⫺1 ⬚ g⫺1兲共⫺4兲
complete the table and sketch the graph of f ⫺1. 97. 共 f ⬚ g兲⫺1 98. g⫺1 ⬚ f ⫺1
79. y
x f ⫺1共x兲
In Exercises 99–102, use the functions f 冇x冈 ⴝ x 1 4 and
4
⫺4 g冇x冈 ⴝ 2x ⴚ 5 to find the specified function.
2 f
⫺2 99. g⫺1 ⬚ f ⫺1 100. f ⫺1 ⬚ g⫺1
x
−4 −2 2 4 101. 共 f ⬚ g兲⫺1 102. 共g ⬚ f 兲⫺1
2
103. Shoe Sizes The table shows men’s shoe sizes in the
3 United States and the corresponding European shoe sizes.
Let y ⫽ f 共x兲 represent the function that gives the men’s
80. y
x f ⫺1共x兲 European shoe size in terms of x, the men’s U.S. size.

4 ⫺3
f Men’s U.S. Men’s European
⫺2 shoe size shoe size
x
−4 −2 4 0 8 41
−2
9 42
−4 6 10 43
11 45
In Exercises 81– 88, use the graphs of y ⴝ f 冇x冈 and y ⴝ g 冇x冈 12 46
to evaluate the function. 13 47
y y
(a) Is f one-to-one? Explain.
4 6
y = f(x)
4
(b) Find f共11兲.
y = g(x) (c) Find f⫺1共43兲, if possible.
2
x
−4 −2 2 4 x (d) Find f共f⫺1共41兲兲.
−2 −6 −4 2 4
−2 (e) Find f⫺1共f共13兲兲.
−4 −4
104. Shoe Sizes The table shows women’s shoe sizes in the
United States and the corresponding European shoe sizes.
81. f ⫺1共0兲 82. g⫺1共0兲 Let y ⫽ g共x兲 epresent the function that gives the women’s
83. 共 f ⬚ g兲共2兲 84. g共 f 共⫺4兲兲 European shoe size in terms of x, the women’s U.S. size.
85. f ⫺1共g共0兲兲 86. 共g⫺1 ⬚ f 兲共3兲
87. 共g ⬚ f ⫺1 兲共2兲 88. 共 f ⫺1 ⬚ g⫺1兲共⫺2兲 Women’s U.S. Women’s European
shoe size shoe size
Graphical Reasoning In Exercises 89–92, (a) use a 4 35
graphing utility to graph the function, (b) use the draw
5 37
inverse feature of the graphing utility to draw the inverse of
the function, and (c) determine whether the graph of the 6 38
inverse relation is an inverse function, explaining your 7 39
reasoning. 8 40
89. f 共x兲 ⫽ x 3 ⫹ x ⫹ 1 90. h共x兲 ⫽ x冪4 ⫺ x 2 9 42

3x 2 4x
91. g共x兲 ⫽ 92. f 共x兲 ⫽ (a) Is g one-to-one? Explain.
x ⫹12 冪x 2 ⫹ 15
(b) Find g共6兲.
(c) Find g⫺1共42兲.
In Exercises 93–98, use the functions f 冇x冈 ⴝ 8 x ⴚ 3 and
1
(d) Find g共g⫺1共39兲兲.
g冇x冈 ⴝ x 3 to find the indicated value or function.
(e) Find g⫺1共g共5兲兲.
93. 共 f ⫺1 ⬚ g⫺1兲共1兲 94. 共 g⫺1 ⬚ f ⫺1兲共⫺3兲
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Section 1.7 Inverse Functions 157

105. Transportation The total values of new car sales f (in 110. Proof Prove that if f is a one-to-one odd function, f ⫺1 is
billions of dollars) in the United States from 1995 through an odd function.
2004 are shown in the table. The time (in years) is given
by t, with t ⫽ 5 corresponding to 1995. (Source: In Exercises 111–114, decide whether the two functions
National Automobile Dealers Association) shown in the graph appear to be inverse functions of each
other. Explain your reasoning.
y y
Year, t Sales, f t 111. 112.
3 3
5 456.2 2 2
6 490.0 1
7 507.5 x x
−3 −2 −1 2 3 −3 −2 2 3
8 546.3 −2
9 606.5 −3
10 650.3
113. y 114. y
11 690.4
3
12 679.5
2 2
13 699.2 1
14 714.3 x x
−1 2 3 −2 −1 1 2

(a) Does f ⫺1 exist? −2

(b) If f ⫺1 exists, what does it mean in the context of the

problem?
In Exercises 115–118, determine if the situation could be
(c) If f ⫺1 exists, find f ⫺1650.3.
represented by a one-to-one function. If so, write a state-
(d) If the table above were extended to 2005 and if the ment that describes the inverse function.
total value of new car sales for that year were $690.4
billion, would f ⫺1 exist? Explain. 115. The number of miles n a marathon runner has completed
in terms of the time t in hours
106. Hourly Wage Your wage is $8.00 per hour plus $0.75
for each unit produced per hour. So, your hourly wage y 116. The population p of South Carolina in terms of the year t
in terms of the number of units produced x is from 1960 to 2005
y ⫽ 8 ⫹ 0.75x. 117. The depth of the tide d at a beach in terms of the time t
(a) Find the inverse function. What does each variable in over a 24-hour period
the inverse function represent? 118. The height h in inches of a human born in the year 2000
(b) Use a graphing utility to graph the function and its in terms of his or her age n in years
inverse function.
Skills Review
(c) Use the trace feature of a graphing utility to find the
hourly wage when 10 units are produced per hour. In Exercises 119–122, write the rational expression in
(d) Use the trace feature of a graphing utility to find the simplest form.
number of units produced when your hourly wage is
27x3 5x2y
$22.25. 119. 120.
3x2 xy ⫹ 5x
Synthesis x2 ⫺ 36 x2 ⫹ 3x ⫺ 40
121. 122.
6⫺x x2 ⫺ 3x ⫺ 10
True or False? In Exercises 107 and 108, determine
whether the statement is true or false. Justify your answer.
In Exercises 123–128, determine whether the equation
107. If f is an even function, f ⫺1 exists. represents y as a function of x.
108. If the inverse function of f exists, and the graph of f has a 123. 4x ⫺ y ⫽ 3 124. x ⫽ 5
y-intercept, the y-intercept of f is an x-intercept of f ⫺1.
125. x2 ⫹ y2 ⫽ 9 126. x2 ⫹ y ⫽ 8
109. Proof Prove that if f and g are one-to-one functions, 127. y ⫽ x ⫹ 2 128. x ⫺ y2 ⫽ 0
 f ⬚ g⫺1x ⫽ g⫺1 ⬚ f ⫺1x.