MA161 - Lesson 2: Inverse Functions and Logarithms

Warm-up: Understanding Inverse Functions

Warm-up Example

Given \(y = f(x) = x^3\), find the value of input when output is given:

Solution:

Inverse Function: If \(g(x) = \sqrt[3]{x}\) is the inverse function for \(f(x) = x^3\), then:

Notation: \(g(x) = f^{-1}(x)\)

When Does an Inverse Exist?

Problem with f(x) = x²

For \(f(x) = x^2\), find input when output = 4:

Issue: Can be 2 or -2

Let output = \(y\), so input = \(\sqrt{y}\) or \(-\sqrt{y}\)

Conclusion: Inverse does not exist for \(f(x) = x^2\) on all real numbers.

Condition for Inverse to Exist: When the function is one-to-one (1-1) in its domain.

One-to-One Definition: No two inputs have the same output.

Horizontal Line Test

Graph Analysis: The handwritten notes show two graphs side by side. The left graph shows y = x² (a parabola) with horizontal lines intersecting it at multiple points, demonstrating it fails the horizontal line test. The right graph shows y = x³ with horizontal lines each intersecting at only one point, showing it passes the test.

Horizontal Line Test: Used to determine whether a given graph is 1-1 or not.

If every horizontal line intersects the graph at most once, the function is 1-1 and has an inverse.

Results from the Test:

Restricting Domain to Make Functions One-to-One

Example 1: Restricting f(x) = x²

Graph Illustration: The notes show the parabola y = x² with the right half highlighted, restricting the domain to [0,∞) to make it one-to-one.

Original Domain Restriction: \(D: [0, \infty)\), \(R: [0, \infty)\)

When \(y\) is output, input = \(\sqrt{y}\)

\(f^{-1}(y) = \sqrt{y}\) or \(f^{-1}(x) = \sqrt{x}\)

Inverse Function: \(D: [0, \infty)\), \(R: [0, \infty)\)

Alternative Restriction: \(D: (-\infty, 0]\), \(R: [0, \infty)\)

When \(y\) is output, input = \(-\sqrt{y}\)

\(f^{-1}(y) = -\sqrt{y}\) or \(f^{-1}(x) = -\sqrt{x}\)

Inverse Function: \(D: [0, \infty)\), \(R: (-\infty, 0]\)

Example 2: Absolute Value Function

For \(f(x) = |x-5|\):

Graph Features: The notes show a V-shaped graph representing the absolute value function, with the vertex at (5,0) and both sides of the V highlighted in different colors to show possible domain restrictions.

Function is not invertible on \((-\infty, \infty)\)

Option 1 - Restrict to right side: \(D: [5, \infty)\), \(R: [0, \infty)\)

For \(x \geq 5\): \(y = x - 5\), so \(x = y + 5\)

\(f^{-1}(y) = y + 5\) or \(f^{-1}(x) = x + 5\)

Option 2 - Restrict to left side: \(D: (-\infty, 5]\), \(R: [0, \infty)\)

For \(x \leq 5\): \(y = 5 - x\), so \(x = 5 - y\)

\(f^{-1}(y) = 5 - y\) or \(f^{-1}(x) = 5 - x\)

Example 3: Rational Function

For \(f(x) = \frac{1}{x-3}\), find \(f^{-1}(x)\):

Graph Characteristics: The notes show a hyperbola with vertical asymptote at x = 3 and horizontal asymptote at y = 0, passing the horizontal line test and therefore having an inverse.

Solution:

The function is 1-1 in the domain \(D: (-\infty, 3) \cup (3, \infty)\)

Finding inverse: \(y = \frac{1}{x-3}\)

Solve for \(x\): \(x - 3 = \frac{1}{y}\), so \(x = \frac{1}{y} + 3\)

\(f^{-1}(y) = \frac{1}{y} + 3\) or \(f^{-1}(x) = \frac{1}{x} + 3\)

Domain of \(f^{-1}\): \((-\infty, 0) \cup (0, \infty)\)

Range of \(f^{-1}\): \((-\infty, 3) \cup (3, \infty)\)

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Graph Relationship: The handwritten notes show two graphs side by side - an exponential function y = b^x and its inverse the logarithmic function, illustrating how they are reflections of each other across the line y = x.

Exponential Function: \(y = b^x\) where \(b > 0\) and \(b \neq 1\)

Domain: \((-\infty, \infty)\), Range: \((0, \infty)\)

Logarithmic Function: The inverse of \(y = b^x\) is the logarithmic function

\(f^{-1}(x) = \log_b x\)

Domain: \((0, \infty)\), Range: \((-\infty, \infty)\)

Properties of Logarithms

Fundamental Properties:

Logarithm Rules:

Example: Solving Exponential Equations

Find \(x\) such that \(3^{x-2} = 18\):

Solution:

Take \(\log_3\) of both sides:

\[\log_3(3^{x-2}) = \log_3(18)\] \[x-2 = \log_3(18)\]

Using logarithm properties:

\[\log_3(18) = \log_3(3^2 \cdot 2) = \log_3(3^2) + \log_3(2) = 2 + \log_3(2)\]

Therefore:

\[x - 2 = 2 + \log_3(2)\] \[x = \frac{1}{2}(4 + \log_3(2))\]
Example: Converting to Base e

Write \(6^x\) as exponential with base \(e\):

Solution:

For any \(y\): \(e^{\ln y} = y\)

Let \(y = 6^x\):

\[e^{\ln(6^x)} = 6^x\] \[e^{x \ln 6} = 6^x\]

Key Relationship: The exponential and logarithmic functions are inverses of each other. The domain of one becomes the range of the other, and their graphs are reflections across the line \(y = x\).