H2 Mathematics (9758) VJC/ 2020 JC1/Lin YH & Ho WK

Tutorial 4: Functions

Good habits to inculcate from Day 1, for all topics:

1) Read through lecture notes before doing the tutorial.
2) Seek to understand the underlying concepts, not merely memorise procedures.
3) Solve the problem through prior understanding, not through merely copying (and modifying) the
solution from a similar-looking lecture example.
4) If a question is done wrong, do not erase it; leave it there and cross it out – useful for future
reference when doing revision. Learning from mistakes can be very helpful.
5) Annotate questions and notes along the way, so that you know what question to clarify during
lesson, and what concept you need to refer to in the future.
6) Do not be discouraged if success is not achieved initially. Keep trying, keep learning.
7) And sustain all the above for the two years.  All the best!
8) (And add on to this list as you go along and experiment.)

Basic Questions
(Most of these may not be discussed in class, so take initiative to seek clarification should you not be able
to solve any part.)

k
A) The function f is given by f : x  3x  k , x  , x  , where 0 < k <12.
3
Find the values of
 k
(i) f(4), (ii) f(3k), (iii) f 12   . i 12  k  ii  8k  iii  6 or  6??
 3

B) The functions f and g are given by f : x  3  2 x, x   ,

g : x  2 x2  1, x   .
Find (i) f(2) + g(3), (ii) f( x)  3g(2 x) , (iii) f(5x2  1) ,
(vii)  f( x )  .
2
(iv) gf(3 x ) , (v) fg(3x), (vi) f 2 ( x) ,

What conclusion can you draw from your answers to (iv), (v), (vi) and (viii)?
 i  16  ii 24x2  2x  iii 1  10x2
C) Find f 1 ( x) for each of the following cases:

1  4x 
(i) f( x)  5  x  9, x    , (ii) f( x)  4ln(2 x  3), x   .  ii   e  3
2 
Qn: Do you think (a) refers to 5 x  9 or 5 x  9 ?

Standard Questions

1. GCE ‘A’ Level Math 1992/I/Q8 (part)

The functions f and g are defined by f : x  e2x, x  ,
g : x  x , x0.
Find and simplify (i) gf(x), (ii) fg 1 (x). [2]
x
(i) e

2. For functions g and h defined over  , if h(x) = g(3x + 2), express each of the following in the form
g(ax  b) , where a and b are constants to be determined:

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H2 Mathematics (9758) VJC/ 2020 JC1/Lin YH & Ho WK

(i) h(–x), (ii) h(3x), (iii) h(2x + 1).

(i) g( 3 x  2)

3. If g(x) = 3x , x    , determine the value of k such that g(x + k) = 3 x  12 .

4. GCE ‘A’ Level Math 2006/I/Q3

Functions f and g are defined by
f : x  5 x  3, x  0
3
g:x  , x  0
x
Find, in similar form, fg, g 2 and g35 . [3]
2
[Note: g denotes gg]

Express h in terms of one or both of f and g, where

h : x  25x  18, x  0. [1]
15 3
fg : x   3, x  0 ; g 2 : x  x, x  0 ; g 35 : x  , x  0
x x
.
5. The function f is defined by f : x  x 2  3, x  2 .
(i) Find the range of f.
(ii) Determine, with a reason, if the function f –1 exists.

The function g is defined by g : x  (3 x  8) 2  6, x  S .

(iii) If S = [0, ∞), prove that the function g –1 exists.

(iv) If S = [k, ∞), find the smallest value of k such that the function g –1 exists.
(v) If S = (–3, 1), determine if the composite function fg exists. (i) [3, ), (iv) –8/3

6. GCE ‘A’ Level H2 Math 2008/II/Q4

The function f is defined by f : x  ( x  4) 2  1 for x   , x  4.

(i) Sketch the graph of y  f ( x). Your sketch should indicate the position of the graph in relation
to the origin. [2]
(ii) Find f 1 ( x), stating the domain of f 1. [3]
(iii) On the same diagram as in part (i), sketch the graph of y  f 1 ( x). [1]
(iv) Write down the equation of the line in which the graph of y  f ( x ) must be reflected in order
to obtain the graph of y  f 1 ( x), and hence find the exact solution of the equation
f ( x)  f 1 ( x). [5]
9  13
(ii) 4  x  1, x  1 , (iv)
2

7. GCE ‘A’ Level Math 2005/I/Q11

The function f is given by

f : x  x 2  6λx, x  
where λ is a positive constant. Find, in terms of λ ,
(i) ff( λ ), [2]
(ii) the range of f. [2]

Give a reason why f does not have an inverse. [1]

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H2 Mathematics (9758) VJC/ 2020 JC1/Lin YH & Ho WK

The function f has an inverse if its domain is restricted to x  k and also has an inverse if its domain
is restricted to x  k . Find k in terms of λ , and find an expression for f 1 ( x ) corresponding to each
of these domains for f. [4]
(i) 25  30 (ii) [9 2 , )
4 3

8. The function f is defined by f : x  ex – 2 , x  , x  1 .

On a single clearly labeled diagram, sketch the graphs of y = f(x), y = f 1 (x) and y = ff 1 (x).
Describe the relation between graphs of y = f(x) and y = f 1 (x).
Find the value of the x-coordinate of the point of intersection of y = f(x) and y = f 1 (x), correct to 3
decimal places.
On a separate diagram, draw the graph of y = f –1f(x). Is it the same as y = ff 1 (x)?

[Hint: In the above parts, there should be no need at all for you to find out what f –1(x) is. Why?]

6
9. The function f is defined by f : x  x  , 0  x  2 .
x
x  x 2  24
Define the inverse of f in a similar manner. f 1 : x  , x5
2

10. GCE ‘A’ Level Math 1988/1/Q16 ii, iii

The functions f and h are defined by

f : x  ln x, x    ,
1
g:x  , x   .,
x
h : x  x2 , x   .

(ii)
y

x
O 1

The diagram shows a sketch of the graph y = hf(x). State how the sketch shows that hf is not one-
one, and prove that, if  and  , where 0 <  <  , are such that hf(  ) = hf(  ), then  = g(  ). [5]

(iii) The function  is defined by  : x  hf(x), ( 0  x  1 ).

Sketch the graph of  1 , and give an explicit expression in terms of x for  1 (x). [3]
(iii) e x

11. The functions f and g are defined by f : x  4 x 2  4 x  3, x  ,

 3
g : x   cos x, x  , x ,
2 2
where  is a positive constant.
Find, in terms of  , the range of fg. (3, 4 2  4  3]

12. VJC Common Test 1 2007 (modified)

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H2 Mathematics (9758) VJC/ 2020 JC1/Lin YH & Ho WK

The function f is defined by f : x  2x3 + 3x2 – 12x, 3  x  3 . Find the range of f.

The function g is defined by g : x  f(x), 2  x  1 . Find g 1 (11).

[Hint: Is there a need to find g 1 (x)? Why or why not?] [–7, 45), –0.839

13. The function f is defined with domain   and is given by

 1
 2 + n2 for n even,
f ( n)   2
 f(n + 1)  6 for n odd.

(i) Find f(3), f(5) and f(6).

(ii) Does f have an inverse? Justify your answer.
(iii) Can a positive integer m be found such that f (m) = 2? Justify your answer.

Self-Practice [For further practice only after previous questions are discussed with your tutor]
(Partial Solutions are provided in Google Drive)

1. GCE ‘A’ Level Math 1994/I/Q7

The functions g and h are defined by g : x  3x2 + 2, x   .,
x2
h:x  , x  2.
3
Find hg(x) for (i) x  0, (ii) x < 0. [3]

2. A function f is defined by f : x  2 x  3, x  . Find g(x) in each of the following cases:

(a) fg : x  4 x 2  2 x  9, x   ,
(b) gf : x  4 x 2  18 x  20, x   .
(a) g( x )  2 x  x  3; (b) g( x )  x  3 x  2
2 2

[Hint: You do not need to find f –1.]

3. The function g is defined by

g : x  (x + 1)2 + 3, x  m ,
(i) For m = 0, determine if the function g −1 exists. [2]
(ii) For m = –5, show that the function g −1 exists. [2]
(iii) Write down the largest value of m so that the function g −1 exists. [1]
(iv) For the value of m found in (iii), define g −1 in a similar manner. [3]

4. The function f is defined by f : x  2x3 + 3x2 – 12x + 1, 2  x  1 .

State the relationship between the graphs of y = f(x) and y = f −1(x).
Find also the solution of the equation f(x) = f −1(x). [3]
The function g is defined by g : x  (x – 1)2 – 3, 0  x  3 .
Determine if the composite function fg exists. [2]

5. GCE ‘A’ Level H2 Math 2007/I/Q2

Functions f and g are defined by
1
f :x for x  , x  3,
x3
g : x  x 2 for x  .

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H2 Mathematics (9758) VJC/ 2020 JC1/Lin YH & Ho WK

(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. [3]
(ii) Find f 1 ( x ) and state the domain of f 1 . [3]
1 1
gf : x  , x  , x  3;  3,  \{0}
( x  3)2 x

6. GCE ‘A’ Level H2 Math 2009/II/Q3 [good question to try – somewhat different]

The function f is defined by

ax a
f :x , for x   , x  ,
bx  a b
where a and b are non-zero constants.
(i) Find f 1 ( x) . Hence or otherwise find f 2 ( x) and state the range of f 2 . [5]
1
(ii) The function g is defined by g : x  for all non-zero x. State whether the composite
x
function fg exists, justifying your answer. [2]
(iii) Solve the equation f 1 ( x)  x . [3]
ax a  2a
(i) , x,  \   , (iii) 0 or
bx  a b  b

7. GCE ‘A’ Level H2 Math 2003/I/Q8

The functions f and g are defined by
f : x  2 x  1, x  
g : x  x 2  2, x  
(i) Determine the values of x for which gf(x) = fg(x) + 16. [4]
(ii) Determine the set of values of x for which f 1 ( x )  5 . [3]
(i) 4, –2 (ii)  x   : 11  x  9

8. GCE ‘A’ Level Math 2002/II/Q5 [ (i) is a little different. ]

The function f is defined for x  1 by

1
f ( x)  x 
x
(i) Show that f(x) increases as x increases. [3]
(ii) State the range of f. [1]
(iii) Find an expression for f 1 ( x) . [4]
x x2
(ii) [2, ) (iii)  1
2 4

9. GCE ‘A’ Level H2 Math 2010/II/Q4 [ (iv) & (v) are a little tricky ]

The function f is defined as follows.

1
f :x for x   , x  1, x  1.
x2  1
(i) Sketch the graph of y = f(x).
(ii) If the domain of f is further restricted to x  k , state with a reason the least value of k for
which the function f 1 exists. [3]

In the rest of the question, the domain of f is as originally defined.

The function g is defined as follows.
1
g:x  for x   , x  2, x  3, x  4.
x3

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H2 Mathematics (9758) VJC/ 2020 JC1/Lin YH & Ho WK

 x  3
2

(iii) Show that fg( x)  . [2]

(4  x)( x  2)
(iv) Solve the inequality fg( x)  0. [3]
(v) Find the range of fg. [3]
(ii) 0 (iv) 2 < x < 4, x ≠ 3 (v)  y   : y  1 or y  0 (Alternative: ( , 1)  (0,  ) )

10. GCE ‘A’ Level Math 1980/II/Q4 (modified)

The functions f and g are defined by

f : x  cos x , 0  x  π ,
1
g : x  tan x , 0  x  π .
2
Sketch on separate diagrams, the graphs of each of f, g and f –1.
Solve the equation f(x) = g(x) using a non-graphical method.
The function h is defined by h : x  sin x ,  12 π  x  12 π .
Show that hf exists. Hence define hf and find its range.
0.666, sin(cos x), 0  x   , [–0.841, 0.841]

11. GCE ‘A’ Level Math 1989/I/Q18 (modified)

The function f is defined by f : x  ( x – 1)2 + 2, x  , x  1 .

The function h is defined by h : x  ax + b, x  , x   2 , where a and b are constants.
Find values of a and b such that fh: x  4x2 + 16x + 18, x  , x   2 .

[If you obtain two pairs of (a, b) and can find a reason to reject one pair, then you are totally
correct.]
a  2, b  3

Tutorial 4: Functions 6