NOTE

M A T H E M A T I C S

RELATIONS AND FUNCTIONS

INVERSE FUNCTIONS

What you already know

• Types of functions • Composite function • Periodic function

What you will learn

• Properties of periodic function

Properties of Periodic Function

Property 4

f (x)
If f(x) has a period T1 and g(x) has a period T2, then f(x) ± g(x), f(x).g(x), and are also
periodic with period L.C.M(T1, T2), provided that L.C.M of T1, T2 exists. g ( x )
However, L.C.M need not be a fundamental period.

a c
Let two periodic functions f(x) and g(x) have periods and , respectively.
b d
a c L.C.M ( a , c )
The period of f(x) ± g(x) is L.C.M  ,  = (a, b, c, and d are rational)
b d H.C.F ( b , d )
2 4 L.C.M ( 2 , 4 ) 4
Example: L.C.M  ,  = =
3 9 H.C.F ( 3, 9 ) 3

Note

f (x)
If L.C.M of periods of f(x) and g(x) does not exist, then f(x) ± g(x), f(x).g(x), are
non-periodic. g(x)

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02

Find the period of the following functions:

 3x   9x 
(i) f ( x ) sin   + cos  
= (ii) f(x) = |sinx| + |cosx|
 2   4 

Solution

(i)
T
We know that, if f(x) has period T, then f(ax + b) has period .
a
 3x  2 × 2π 4π
∴ T1 = Period of sin =  =
 2  3 3
 9x  4 × 2π 8π
T2 = Period of cos =  =
 4  9 9
 4π 8π  L.C.M ( 4π, 8π ) 8π
=
L.C.M  3 , 9  =
  H.C.F ( 3, 9 ) 3
8π
⇒ Period of f(x) =
3

(ii)
We know that, period of g(x) ± h(x) is L.C.M of (T1, T2).
Where T1 and T2 are periods of g(x) and h(x), respectively.
Period of |sin x| = π
Period of |cos x| = π
L.C.M (π, π) = π
⇒ Period of f(x) = π

Approach to find fundamental period

π
may also be a period of f(x).
2 π
Let us check for .
2
 π  π  π
f x + = sin  x +  + cos  x + 
 2  2  2
= |cos x| + |-sin x|
= |cos x| + |sin x| = f(x)
π
is also a period of f(x), which is the fundamental period.
2

Property 5

If g is a function such that gof is defined on the domain of f and f is periodic with period T, then
gof is also periodic, with T as one of its periods.

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03

Example: Let f(x) = cos x, g(x) = {x}

Here, f(x) has period 2π and g(x) has period 1.
fog(x) = f(g(x)) = cos (g(x)) = cos {x}
It is also a periodic function with period 1.

gof(x) = g(f(x)) = {f(x)} = {cos x}

It is also a periodic function with period 2π.

Note

If g is a function such that gof defined on the domain of f and f is aperiodic, then gof may or may
not be periodic.
Example:
Let h(x) = cos(x + sin x)
h(x + 2π) = cos(x + 2π + sin(x + 2π))
= cos(x + sin x + 2π)
= cos(x + sin x) = h(x)
Here, h(x) is periodic with period 2π.

If fundamental period of f(x) = sin [a]x is π, where [.] represents greatest integer function,
then what is the range of value of a?
(a) a ∈ [3, ∞ ) (b) a ∈ (1, 3) (c) a ∈ [2, 3) (d) a ∈ (-2, 0)

Solution

Given, fundamental period of f(x) = sin [a]x is π.

2π
⇒ π=
[a ]
⇒ [a] = 2
⇒ a ∈ [2, 3)
∴ Option (c) is the correct answer.

Find the period of f(x) + f(x + 1) = 0, ∀ x ∈ ℝ.

Solution

Given, f(x) + f(x + 1) = 0 ...(i)

On replacing x by x + 1, we get,
f(x + 1) + f(x + 2) = 0 ...(ii)
On subtracting equation (ii) from equation (i), we get,

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04

Given, f(x + 2) - f(x) = 0

⇒ f(x + 2) = f(x)
∴ f(x) is periodic with period 2.

Inverse of a Function

Let y = f(x) : A → B be a one-one and onto A B

function, i.e., a bijection, then there exist a
f
bijective function x = g(y) : B → A such that (α, β)
is an element of f, (β, α) is an element of g, and
functions f(x) and g(x) are said to be inverse of
each other. α β
g = f - 1 : B → A = {(f(x), x) | (x, f(x)) ∈ f}

Why does a function have to be bijective for it

to be invertible? f-1
Let us consider a many-one function f, then its inverse f - 1 is not a function as shown in the given
figure.

A f B B f-1 A

a a
1 1
b b
2 2
c c
3 3
d d

Now, let us consider an into function f, then its inverse f - 1 is not a function as shown in the given
figure.

A f B B f-1 A

a 1 1 a
2 2
b b
3 3
c c
4 4

d 5 5 d

Hence, only one-one and onto (bijective) functions are invertible.

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05

Let us consider one-one and onto (bijective) function f, then its inverse f - 1 is also a one-one and
onto function as shown in the given figure.

A f B B f-1 A

a 1 1 a

b 2 2 b

c 3 3 c

d 4 4 d

Here, f - 1 is also a bijective function.

Hence, the inverse of a bijection is unique and also a bijection.

To find inverse

Step 1: Check if the given function f(x) is bijective or not.

Step 2: If the function is bijective , then for y = f(x), express x in terms of y.

For example, let us consider a function f(x) = y = ex
To find the inverse of f(x), express it as x = ln y

Step 3: Now, replace y by x and x by y to get the inverse, i.e., f-1(x) = y = ln x

Note

To get inverse in step 3, y is replaced by x. Therefore, the domain and range of f(x) becomes the
range and domain of f -1(x), respectively.
Example
2x + 3
f (x) = : f :ℝ → ℝ, then find its inverse.
4
Since f(x) is a linear function, it is a bijective function.
Hence, the inverse of function f(x) exists.
Given,
2x + 3
y=
4
⇒ 4y = 2x + 3
4y − 3
⇒ x=
2
Interchanging x and y gives the inverse of the function as follows:
4x − 3
g(x) = f -1(x) =
2

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06

Y y=x
3 3
2, 2
 
 3
 0, 
 3   4 3 
Let us plot a graph of f(x) and f-1(x). From the  − 2 , 0
 
 4 , 0
 
figure, we can see that f(x) and f-1(x) are the
mirror images of each other about the line y = x. X
 3
f(x)  0, − 2 
 

f-1(x)

f(x) = ex y=x
Y
Similarly, for function f(x) = ex,
Inverse g(x) = f-1(x) = ln x g(x) = ln x
So, they can be plotted as shown in the figure. (0, 1)

Hence, the function and its inverse are the (1, 0)

mirror images of each other about the line y = x X

f(x) = x2 + x + 1; f : [0, ∞) → [1, ∞). Find its inverse.

Solution

Step 1: Y
The given quadratic function y = f(x) can be plotted as
shown in the figure.
For x ∈ [0, ∞), f(x) is a one-one function. (By horizontal
line test) (0, 1)
For x ∈ [0, ∞), y ∈ [1, ∞)
Hence, Range of f(x) = Codomain of f(x)
⇒ f(x) is an onto function.
Hence, function f(x) is bijective and its inverse exists. X

Step 2:
Given, y = x2 + x + 1
⇒ x2 + x + (1 - y) = 0
−1 ± 1 − 4 (1 − y )
⇒x=
2

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07

−1 ± 4y − 3
⇒x= Y
2
By interchanging x and y, we get,
−1 ± 4x − 3
y=
2
We know that the domain of a function is the range of its
inverse.
(0, 1)
⇒ The range of f-1(x) is [0, ∞).
−1 − 4x − 3 X
So, y = cannot be inverse of the function.
2
Hence, the inverse of the function is given as follows:
−1 + 4x − 3
f-1(x) = y =
2

Properties of Inverse Function

Property 1

Graph of function f and its inverse g are the mirror images of each other about the line y = x

f(x) = x3
Property 2 Y y=x

If functions f and f-1 intersect, then at least one point f-1(x) = 3

x
of intersection lie on the line y = x

Let us consider a function f(x) = x3, then the inverse

of function f-1(x) intersects f(x) as shown in the figure. X

Property 3

If f and g are the inverse of each other,

then fog(x) = gof(x) = x A f B B g A
Let us consider the mapping shown in the
figure. 1 a a 1
Here, we can see that,
fog(a) = f(g(a)) = f(3) = a 2 b b 2
However, fog and gof can be equal even
if f and g are not inverse of each other. 3 c c 3
However, in that case, fog = gof ≠ x

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08

Let us consider two functions, f(x) = x + 2 and g(x) = x + 1

They are not the inverse of each other.
Here, fog(x) = f(g(x)) = g(x) + 2 = x + 3
gof(x) = g(f(x)) = f(x) + 1 = x + 3
Hence, fog = gof ≠ x

Property 4

If f and g are two bijections, f : A → B, g : B → C, then inverse of gof exists and (gof)- 1 = f -1og -1

Find the solution of the given equation.

3 − 9 + 4x  −9 
x2 - 3x = , x ∈  , 1
2  4 

Solution

Step 1:
Y
3 − 9 + 4x  −9  y = f(x)
Given, x2 - 3x = , x ∈  , 1
2 4 
Let y = f(x) = x - 3x
2

 −9 
For x ∈  , 1 , f(x) is bijective as shown in the (1, 0)
4 
figure. 
 −9  X
Hence, its inverse exists.  4 , 0
 
y = x2 - 3x
x2 - 3x - y = 0
3 ± 9 + 4y
x=
2
By interchanging x and y, we get,
3 ± 9 + 4x
y=
2

Step 2: Y
We know that the domain of a function is the range of y=x
y = f(x)
its inverse.
 −9 
⇒ The range of f-1(x) is  , 1 .
4 
3 + 9 + 4x
So, y = cannot be the inverse of the
2 (1, 0)
function.  −9 
 4 , 0 X
Hence, the inverse of the function is given as follows:  
3 − 9 + 4x f-1(x)
f-1(x) =
2

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09

Step 3:
Hence, the equation is of form f(x) = f -1(x)
We know that if functions f and f -1 intersect, then at
least one point of intersection lie on the line y = x
⇒ f(x) = x2 - 3x = x
⇒ x2 - 4x = 0
⇒ x(x - 4) = 0
⇒ x = 0, 4
 −9 
However, x ∈  , 1
⇒x=0 4 

Concept Check

Find the inverse of the function, f(x) = ln(x – 2)

Summary Sheet

Key Takeaways

f (x)
• If f(x) has a period T1 and g(x) has a period T2, then f(x) ± g(x), f(x).g(x), and are periodic
with period L.C.M(T1, T2), provided that L.C.M of T1, T2 exists. g ( x )
f (x)
• If the L.C.M of periods of f(x) and g(x) does not exist, then f(x) ± g(x), f(x).g(x), and are
non-periodic. g ( x )
• If g is a function such that gof defined on the domain of f and f is periodic with T, then gof is also
periodic with T as one of its periods.
• If g is a function such that gof defined on the domain of f and f is aperiodic, then gof may or may
not be periodic.
• L et y = f(x) : A → B be a one-one and an onto function, i.e., a bijection, then there always exist
a bijective function x = g(y) : B → A such that (α, β) is an element of f, (β, α) is an element of g,
and the functions f(x) and g(x) are said to be inverse of each other.
• G raph of a function f and its inverse g are the mirror images of each other about the line y = x.
• If functions f and f -1 intersect, then at least one point of intersection lie on the line y = x.
• If f and g are inverse of each other, then fog(x) = gof(x) = x
• If f and g are two bijections, f : A → B, g : B → C, then inverse of gof exists and (gof)- 1 = f-1og -1

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10

Mind Map

Properties of periodic function

Inverse function

Properties of inverse function

Self-Assessment
q
3x + 2
Find the inverse of the function:
x −1

Answers

Concept Check

Given function, y = f(x) = ln(x – 2)

Since the logarithmic functions are one-one and onto, its inverse exists.
y = ln(x – 2)
⇒ x = ey + 2
By interchanging x and y, we get, y = ex + 2
Hence, the inverse of the function f -1(x) = ex + 2

Self Assessment

3x + 2
y = f(x) =
x −1
y(x - 1) = 3x + 2
xy - 3x = 2 + y
x(y - 3) = 2 + y
2+ y
x=
y−3
By interchanging x and y, we get the inverse of the function,
x+2
y = f-1(x) =
x −3

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