9758 H2 Mathematics

Topic 4: Functions
Tutorial Questions

Section 1: Practice Questions (Students are to attempt all these questions).

1. Determine, with reason, if the following relations are functions.
1 1
(a) y  , x (b) y  , x   
x x
(c) y 2  1  x , x  , x  1 (d) y  1  x , x  , x  1

(e) y  x , x   (f) y  x3  1, x  ,  2  x  4

[Ans: (a) No, (b) Yes, (c) No, (d) Yes, (e) Yes, (f) Yes]
[Solution]

(a) This relation is not a function since the element x  0 has no image.
(b) This relation is a function since any vertical line x  a, a    , cuts the curve exactly
once.

(c) This relation is not a function since using the vertical line test, x  0 has 2 images i.e. 1
and -1.
Page 1 of 21
(d) This relation is a function since any vertical line x  a, a  (, 1] , cuts the curve
exactly once.

(e) This relation is a function since any vertical line cuts the curve exactly once.

(f) This relation is a function since any vertical line x  a , a  ( 2, 4] , cuts the curve
exactly once.

Page 2 of 21
 2.
Function and Graph Domain and Does inverse function If inverse function exists,
(SKETCH the graph of the Range of Function exist? Explain why. define its rule, domain and
function) range.
f : x  2 x  1 x  , 1  x  3 Df  [1,3] f is one-to-one since any Let y  f  x 
horizontal line
y Rf  3, 7 y  2x  1
y  k , 3  k  7 , cuts the
graph of f at only one y 1
x
7 point. 2
Therefore, f 1 exists x 1
 f 1 : x  ,
2
3 x x  , 3  x  7
0 1 3
Rf 1  Df  1,3

g : x  x 2  4 x  3, Dg  (0,  ) g is not one-to-one since the N.A.

x  , x  0 Rg  [ 1,  ) line y  0 cuts the graph of
g at two points, namely
y x  1 & x  3 . Therefore,
g 1 does not exist.
3

x
0

h : x  e x , x   Dh  (, ) h is one-to-one since any Let y  h  x  , x  

 horizontal line y  k , k  0 ,
y y  e x
Rh  (0, ) cuts the graph of h at only
one point. Therefore, h 1 ln y   x
exists. x   ln y
 h 1 : x   ln x,
x  , x  0
x
0 Rh 1  Dh   ,  
p : x  2 ln x, x  , 1
x2 1 p is one-to-one since any 1
2
Dp   , 2 Let y  p  x  ,  x2
2 horizontal line 2
y y  k ,  2 ln 2  k  2 ln 2 , y  2 ln x
Rp  ( 2 ln 2, 2 ln 2]
cuts the graph of p at only y
one point. Therefore, p 1  ln x
2
exists. y
x  e2
 p 1 : x  e 2 ,
x
x

0 x  ,  2 ln 2  x  2 ln 2
1 
Rp1  Dp   , 2 
2 

Page 3 of 21
q : x   2  x , x  , x  2 Dq  (2,  ) q is one-to-one since any Let y  q  x  , x  2
Rq  ( , 0) horizontal line y  k , k  0 ,
y y   2 x
cuts the graph of q at only
2 x y      2  x   , since x  2
one point. Therefore, q 1
0 exists. y  2 x
x  2 y
q 1 : x  2  x, x  , x  0

Rq1  Dq  (2, )
3.

Page 4 of 21
 Graph of Function f and Its Graph of Function g and Its Does fg or gf exist?
Domain and Range Domain and Range If fg or gf exist, find their rule,
domain and range.
(a) f : x  1  x, x   g : x  x 2  2 x  2, x  , x  1 Since Rf  Dg , gf does not
exist.
y y
Since Rg  Df , fg exists.

1

fg  x   f x 2  2 x  2 
x

 1  x2  2x  2 
x 2
 x  2x 1
0 1 0  fg : x   x 2  2 x  1
x  , x  1
Df   ,   Dg   ,1
 ,1 
g
 1,   
f
  , 0
Rf   ,   Rg  1,  
 Rfg   , 0
(b) f : x  2 x  1, x   g : x  2  x 2 , x  ,  2  x  2 Since Rf  Dg , gf does not
y y exist.

Since Rg  Df , fg exists.

1
 
fg  x   f 2  x 2
x x  22  x  1
2

0 0  5  2x2
 fg : x  5  2 x 2 ,
Df   ,   
Dg   2, 2  x  ,  2  x  2
Rf   ,   Rg   0, 2  2, 2 
g
  0, 2 
f
 1,5
 Rfg  1,5
(c) 1 g : x   x, x   , x  0 Since Rf  Dg , gf exists.
f :x , x  , x  0
x 1 1
y
y gf  x   g    
 x x
1
 gf : x   , x  , x  0
x
0 x
x  0,   
f
  0,   
g
  , 0 
0  Rgf   , 0 

Df   0,   Dg   0,  
Since Rg  Df , fg does not
Rf   0,   Rg   , 0 
exist.

Page 5 of 21
(d) f : x  ln x, x  , x  1 g : x  x 2  4 x, x  , x  0 Since Rf  Dg , gf exists.
gf  x   g  ln x    ln x   4 ln x
2
y y
 gf : x   ln x   4 ln x,
2

x  , x  1

0 4 x
1,      0,      4,  
x f g

0 1  Rgf   4,  

Df  1,   Dg   0,  
Rf   0,   Rg   4,   Since Rg  Df , fg does not
exist.

4. [N2008/2/4]

The function f is defined by f: ↦ 4 1 for ∈ , 4.

(i) Sketch the graph of f . Your sketch should indicate the position of the graph in
relation to the origin.
(ii) Find f , stating the domain of f .
(iii) On the same diagram as in part (i), sketch the graph of f .
(iv) Write down the equation of the line in which the graph of f must be reflected in
order to obtain the graph of f , and hence find the exact solution of the
equation f f .
√
[Ans: (ii) f 4 √ 1, ∈ , 1; (iv) ; ]

[Solution]
(i) and (iii)

(ii) 4 1
4 1
4 1
Since 4, choose 4 1
f 4 √ 1, ∈ , 1.

(iv) It must be reflected about the line

In this case, solving f f is equivalent to solving f .
4 1
8 17

Page 6 of 21
 9 17 0
√

√
Since 4, .
_____________________________________________________________________________
Examiners’ Comments
This was the best-done question in Section A. Apart from those who misread f(x) as  x  4  ,
2

almost everyone drew y  f  x  correctly. f 1 was generally found correctly, though mistakes
with its domain such as x  1 or x  4 were quite often seen, and its graph was quite often
drawn in the wrong place. A common error that lost a mark was to show the graph of y  f 1 as
curving too much, so that as x increased its gradient became negative.

In part (iv) almost everyone knew that the line of reflection was y  x . However, this strong
hint was not enough to dissuade many from attempting to solve f  x   f 1  x  . This leads to a
quartic equation and some intrepid candidates actually managed to factorize this quartic and
obtain the quadratic that they would have obtained by using f  x   x in the first place.
Admiration for their perseverance and accuracy had to be tempered with criticism of their
common sense and judgement. This is a question in which the word “exact” means that a
numerical solution (6.30) gains no credit.

Possible questions:
 Can the graph of an inverse function ever have a turning point? Why or why not? (Common
mistake for students: and helps in reinforcing the conditions for an inverse function to
exist.)
 In obtaining an inverse function, how do we decide which to take in the case when there
is a positive and negative root?
 What is the most difficult part of this question? And how did the question help to guide
you to solve that part? (Point out to students that the first part of (iv) should serve as a hint
for how to proceed with the second part.)

Page 7 of 21
5. [NJC/Midyear 2006/9]
A mapping f is given by
1
f :x 1 , x ∈
 x  1
2

(i) Explain why f is not a function.

(ii) State the condition for an inverse function to exist.
(iii) Suggest a suitable value of b   to make  ,b  a maximal domain of f such
that the inverse function exists. Hence, for this maximal domain, define f 1 in a
similar form.
1
[Ans: (iii) b=1, f 1 : x  1  , x  1 ]
x 1
[Solution]
(i) f is not defined for x = 1. x=1

(No image when x = 1)

(ii) f must be one-to-one.

y = f(x)
(iii) Let b = 1

1
y 1
( x  1) 2
1
 y 1 
( x  1) 2
y = −1
1
 x 1  
y 1
1
 x  1 ( x  1 )
y 1
1
f 1 : x  1  , x   , x  1
x 1
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. The function f is defined by
f : x  x2  2 x, x   .
(i) Find the range of the function f.
(ii) Show that f 1 does not exist.
(iii) Suppose the domain of f is restricted to  A,   . State the least value of A for which
f 1 exists. Hence find f 1 , stating the domain and range clearly.
(iv) Describe the graphical relationship between f and f 1 .
(v) Sketch, on the same axes, the graph of f , f 1 and ff 1 .
[Ans: (i) Rf  1,   ; (iii) Least A  1 , f 1 : x  1  x  1, x  , x  1, Rf 1  1,   ]

Page 8 of 21
[Solution]
(i)
y

0 2 x

(ii) f is not one-to-one since the line y  0 cuts the graph of f at two points, namely x  0
and x  2 . Therefore, f 1 does not exist.

(iii) Least A = 1
Let y  x 2  2 x, x 1
y   x  1  1, x  1
2

 x  1
2
 y  1, x  1
x  1  y  1, x  1
Since x  1 ,  x  1  y  1
 f 1 : x  1  x  1, x  , x  1 ; Rf 1  Df  1,  

(iv) The graph of f 1 is a reflection of the graph of f in the line y  x .

(v) y

0 x

Teachers’ Comments
 Does ff 1 always exist? What is the condition for it to exist?
 What’s the difference (and similarities) between ff 1 and f 1f ? (Important difference would
be the different domains and important similarity would be that the rule would be the same.
Take note to check the drawing.
 Extension question: When would ff 1 be equal to f 1f ? From there, they could come up
with a few examples? A possible modification for this for better classes is to ask them this
question first and then they should then logically look at the difference between the two and
then work out when the two functions are equal.

Page 9 of 21
7. [N2007/1/2]

Functions f and g are defined by

f: ↦ , for ∈ , 3,
g: ↦ , for ∈

(i) Only one of the composite functions fg and gf exists.Give a definition (including the
domain) of the composite that exists, and explain why the other composite does not exist.
(ii) Find f and state the domain of f .
[Ans: (i) gf: ↦ , ∈ , 3; (ii) f : ↦ 3 ,, ∈ , 0]

[Solution]

(i)
\ 0 ⊆ ∴ gf exists.
gf: ↦ , ∈ , 3
0, ∞ is not a subset of \ 3 ∴ fg does not exist.
(ii) Let
3
3
∴f : ↦3 ,, ∈ , 0

8. [N2012/I/7]
A function f is said to be self-inverse if f  x   f 1 ( x) for all x in the domain of f.
The function g is defined by
xk
g:x  , x  , x  1 ,
x 1
where k is a constant, k  1 .
Show that g is self-inverse. [2]
[Solution]
Let y  g  x  .
xk
y
x 1
xy  y  x  k
xy  x  y  k
yk
x
y 1

Page 10 of 21
 xk
i.e. g 1  x    g  x . Hence g is self-inverse.
x 1
_____________________________________________________________________________
9. A function f is defined by f : x  ( x  a )( x  b) , x ℝ, x  b where 0  a  b .
Sketch the graph of f and find its range.
Another function g is defined by g : x  e x , x ℝ.
Assuming that g1 exists, show that g 1f exists and define g 1 f . Find also the range of g 1f .
[Ans: Rf   0,   ; g 1f : x  ln[( x  a )( x  b )] , x  b , x ℝ, Rg1f = (  ,  ) ]

[Solution]
Sketch of f(x )  ( x  a )( x  b), xb Sketch of g( x )  e x , x ℝ
y
y

1
x
0 a b x 0

From the graph of f, the range of f is  0,   .

From the graph of g, the range of g is (0, )

g( x )  e x , x  ℝ
Let y  g 1 ( x )  x  e y  y  ln x
Domain of g 1  Range of g = (0, )
 g 1 ( x)  ln x, x  0 y
Since range of f = (0, ) = domain of g 1 Graph of
g 1 f exists.
g 1 f( x )  g(( x  a )( x  b ))  ln(( x  a )( x  b ))
Domain of g 1f  Df  (b,  ) 0
1
 g 1f : x  ln[( x  a )( x  b )] , x ℝ, x  b x

To find the range of g 1 f :

Method 1:
Rg 1f  Rg 1  Dg   when x  Rf
Method 2:
 b,      0,      ,  
1
f g

Range of Rg1f = (  ,  )
_____________________________________________________________________________

Page 11 of 21
10. [N2013/1/5]
It is given that
  x2 
 1 for  a  x  a
f  x     a 2 

0 for a  x  2a
and that f  x  3a   f  x  for all real values of x, where a is a real constant.
(i) Sketch the graph of y  f  x  for 4a  x  6a

[Solution]

____________________________________________________________________________

Teachers’ Comments
 Is this a function? And why?
 Is this a continuous function? Can you come up with a piece-wise function that is not
continuous and yet is still a function?
 To further strengthen concepts of an inverse function, we can ask for the maximal
domain such that the inverse function exists. Some students might answer [0, 2a ] as a
possible answer if they merely refer to the horizontal line test and are not very sure what
happens if part of the graph is horizontal. We can ask them to go back to the definition of
1-1 and if based on that definition, the inverse exists.
 Sketching the graph without a GC could be challenging for students if they do not
recognize the standard form of an ellipse. Emphasize the importance of graphing
techniques in the chapter of functions as the diagram of the graph is very helpful in most
cases.

Page 12 of 21
11. The function f is defined by
 x 2  1, for x  0
f  x  
2 x  1, for x  0
Sketch the graph of f. Show that f 1 exists and define it. Sketch the graph of f 1 on the
same diagram as the graph of f and find the value of x for which f ( x)  f 1 ( x) .

From the diagram, any horizontal line y  b , where b  Rf ,

cuts the graph of y  f ( x ) at exactly one point.
Hence f is one-one and thus f 1 exists.

 y 1 ( since x  0 )
 x2  1 
Let y   . Then x   y  1
2 x  1 
 2

 x 1 , x  1
1 
 f : x   x 1 y
 , x 1
 2

x 1 1
When f ( x)  f 1 ( x) , 2 x  1  x
2 x
 x  1 1

Teachers Comments
 This is likely to be challenging for students.
 Finding the inverse function for both parts should not be challenging for the
students. Likely to be the consideration of the domain that might be tricky.

Page 13 of 21
Supplementary Questions

1. [N2003/1/8]
The functions f and g are defined by
f : x  2 x  1 , x ℝ
g : x  x 2  2 , x ℝ
(i) Determine the values of x for which gf ( x)  fg  x   16 .
(ii) Determine the set of values of x for which f 1 ( x )  5 .
[Ans: (i) x  4 or x  2 ; (ii) ∈ : 11 9]

[Soln]
Graph of f Graph of g
y y

x
0 x
0

(i) gf ( x )  fg( x )  16
(2 x  1) 2  2  2( x 2  2)  1  16
4 x 2  4 x  3  2 x 2  4  15
2 x 2  4 x  16  0
x2  2 x  8  0
( x  4)( x  2)  0
or x  2
Dg  ( ,  )
 
R g  2, 

(ii) Let y  f 1 ( x)  x  f  y 
x 1
 x  2y 1  y 
2
1
Domain of f  Rf  (, )
x 1
 f 1 ( x )  , x ℝ
2
If | f 1 ( x) | 5
x 1 x 1
| | 5  5  5
2 2
 11  x  9
Set of values of x = ∈ : 11 9

Page 14 of 21
2. [HCI2007/I/12 (modified)]
The function f is defined by f: x ⟼ e | | , x ∈ , x A, where A is a positive constant.
(i) By sketching the graph of f, find the least value of A for which the inverse function f 1
exists.
(ii) Find f 1 in a similar form and state the range of f 1 .
[Ans: (i) Least A = 3; (ii) : ⟼ 3 , ∈ ,0 1, Rf 1  3,   ]

[Soln]
(i) y

Least value of A = 3

x
0

 3 x
(ii) Let y  e , x3
    3 x 
ye , since x  3
y  e 3 x
3  x  ln y
x  3  ln y
∴ : ⟼3 , ∈ ,0 1; Rf 1  Df  3,  

Page 15 of 21
3. The function f is defined by f : x  x2  2 x  3, with domain { x : x  p}.
(i) Find the smallest value of p such that the inverse of f exists.
(ii) For the value found in (i), find f –1 in a similar form as f.
Sketch the graphs of y  f  x  and y  f 1 ( x) , indicating the relationship between the two
graphs, and find the value of x for which f  x   f 1 ( x) correct to 3 significant figures.
[Ans: (i) p  1 ; (ii) f 1 : x  1  x  4 , x  4 ; x  1.30 ]

[Solution]
(i) Let y  x2  2 x  3  y  ( x  1)2  4

From the graph, the inverse of f exists if x  1 , so the least value of p is 1 .

y
(ii) Let y  ( x  1)2  4  x  1  y  4
Since x  1, x  1  y  4
Replacing y with x, we have
f 1 : x  1  x  4 , x  4
x
0

The graph of f is the reflection of the graph f 1 in the line y  x .

From the GC, we have x = 1.30 when
f(x) = f 1 (x).
Algebraic method:
Solving x  f  x  ,
x  x2  2x  3
x2  x  3  0
x  2.30 (rej. since x  1) or x  1.30

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4. [TJC/07]
The functions f and g are defined by
f : x  sin x , x  ,    x   .
g : x  2 x 2  x , x  , x  1

(a) Show that the function gf exists. Express gf in a similar form and state its
range.
(b) If g 1 is a restriction of g, define the domain of g 1 such that g11 exists and g 1 has
the same range as g.

[Ans: (a) gf: x ↦ 2 sin x sin x , π x π, x ∈ .

 1 
Rgf   18 , 3 (b)  ,   ]
 4 
[Solution]
Graph of f Graph of g
y y

0 x

0 x

(a)
Df    ,  
Dg  [ 1, )
Rf   1,1

Rf   1,1  Dg   1,  
 gf exists (shown)
gf ( x )  g(sin x )  2 sin 2 x  sin x
∴ gf: x ↦ 2 sin x sin x , π x π, x ∈

Df    ,   
f
  1,1 
g
  18 ,3
 Rgf   18 ,3

Range of g =  ,  
2 1
 1 1
(b) 2x  x  2  x   
2
 8 
 4 8

Graph of g  1 1
Minimum point    ,  
y  4 8

Hence, restricted domain of g 1 such that g11

 1 
exists g 1 has the same range as g is  ,   .
 4 
0 x

Page 17 of 21
5. [HCI Promo 07/Q6]
The functions f, g and h are defined as follows:

3 x
f: x , x
x2

g : x  ln( x  2) , x  2

h : x  2  e x , x  b and b > 0

(i) Show that f is not a one-one function. If the domain of f is restricted to x  a,

find the least value of a for which f is one-one. [2]

(ii) Define, in a similar form, the inverse function f 1 corresponding to this new
domain of f. [3]

(iii) The composite function gh is well defined and the range of gh is given
as (ln 4 , ln 6] . Find the exact value of b. [3]
2x  3
[Ans: (i) least value of a = 3 , (ii) f 1 : x  , 0  x 1,
x 1
(iii) b  ln 2. ]
[Solution]
(i)

y=1

x
3
x=2

Since there is a horizontal line cutting the graph more than once  f is not a one-one function.
For f to be a one-one function, least value of a = 3.

 3 x 
(ii) Let y      xy  2 y  x  3
 x2
2y 3
x
y 1
2x  3
 f 1 : x  , 0  x 1
x 1

Page 18 of 21
(iii) y
4+

y =gh(x)

-b x

gh(x) = g( 2  e x ) = ln(4  e x ) , x  b
Let 4  eb  6
 eb  2  b  ln 2.

6. [MJC/06/Promo]
The function f is defined by
f : x  ln( x 2  x  2) , c  x  d , where c  d  0 .
(a) Find the values of c and d such that the range of f consists of all real values which are
less than e.
(b) Find an expression for f 1 ( x ) for the values of c and d found in (a).
(c) Write down an expression for h( x) such that hf ( x)  x 2  x  2 .
1  9  4e x
[Ans: (a) c  3.67 , d  1 ; (b) f -1 : x  , x  e , x ℝ; (c) h( x)  e x ]
2
[Solution]
(a) We need to find the values of x where ln( x 2  x  2)  e . y
From graph, when ln( x 2  x  2)  e
Using GC, x = 3.67 or 4.67 e
Therefore, for ln( x 2  x  2)  e x
 3.67  x  1 or 2  x  4.67
0 4.67
However, c  d  0 .
 c  3.67 (3 s.f.), d  1
Domain of f =
Range of f =
x= x =2
Alternative method
ln( x 2  x  2)  e
1  1  4(2  ee )
x 2  x  2  ee  0 x 
2
Since c < 0,
1  9  4e e
c  3.67 (3 s.f.)
2
ln( x 2  x  2)  ln(( x  2)( x  1))
Since f is only defined for the regions x  1 or x  2 and d  0 ,
 d  1

Page 19 of 21
 (b) Let y  f 1 ( x )  x  f ( y )
x  ln( y 2  y  2)
y2  y  2  ex
2
 1 1
y   2e
x

 2 4
2
 1 9
y  e 
x

 2 4
1 4e x  9 1 1
y    4e x  9
2 4 2 2
1 9  4e x
Since c  y  d  y  0 , y  
2 2
1
Domain of f = Range of f = (  , e)
1  9  4e x
f 1 : x  , x  e, x 
2

(c) hf ( x )  x 2  x  2
h(ln( x 2  x  2))  x 2  x  2
Clearly, h( x )  e x
7. [RJC/06/Promo]
The diagram shows the graph of y  f ( x ) , where the domain of the function f is  , 3  .

y=1

x
0
x=3

(i) Show by means of a graphical argument that the inverse function f 1 does not exist.
(ii) For f 1 to exist, the domain of f is restricted to the subset S   , p  such that the
domain of f 1 is  0, 1 .
(a) State the value of p.
(b) Sketch the graph of y  f 1 ( x ) .
(c) The functions g and gf 1 are defined as follows:
g : x  ln(2  x ) , x  x  2 ,
 2 x
gf 1 : x  ln  , x  , 0  x 1
 1 x 
Find f 1 ( x ). Hence determine f ( x ) for x  p .
3x x
[Ans: (ii)(a) p  0 ; (c) f 1 ( x )  , x  [ 0, 1 ) ; f ( x)  , x  ( ,0] ]
x 1 x 3
Page 20 of 21
[Solution]
(i) Give a counterexample.
1
E.g.: The line y  cuts the graph of y  f ( x ) at two points, so f is not one-one.
2
Hence, the inverse function f 1 does not exist.
y
(ii) (a) From the graph, S   , 0  . Hence, p  0 .
(ii) (b) Reflect the part of the graph of f where Rf is
0,1 about the line y  x .
2 x
(c) ln(2  f 1 ( x )) = gf 1 ( x)  ln   x
 1 x  0
2 x
 2  f 1 ( x)   
 1 x 
2 x
 f 1 ( x)  2   
 1 x 
Df 1  Rf   0,1 given in the question. x=1
3x
 f 1 ( x)  , x  [ 0, 1 )
x 1

Let y  f  x   x  f 1 ( y )
3y
x
y 1
xy  x  3 y
y ( x  3)  x
x
y
x3
Df  Rf 1   , 0 
x
 f  x , x  ( ,0]
x3
_____________________________________________________________________________

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