Let f be a function and let . We often call x the independent variable and y the dependent variable. Now consider specifying a number
and working out what x’s are in the domain of the f, for which
. There may of course be many such x’s corresponding to a particular y, but functions for which there is only ever one such x have a special name, they are called injections (their old name was one-to-one).
Definition
A function is an injection if for all x,y
Or if you prefer
( – for all and
– implies.)
Injections are easily recognised from their graphs in that any line parallel to the x axis will meet the graph in at most one point.
Let f be an injection, then we use to denote that single element
which is such that
.
The function is called the inverse function of the f.
By the definition of we have,
.
It is also clear that .
Note that functions that are not injections do not have inverse functions.
Example
Find the inverse function of the function f given by:
Solution: To have a sketch is a great help
So .
Since the rule for f is given in two pieces we find the rule for in two pieces.
.
Whence is given by
Note that f is an injection and so exists then the graphs f and
will be reflections of one another in the line y = x.