One-to-One Functions
& Inverse Functions

  1. Here is a table of all input/output pairs for a one-to-one function \(f.\) What is \(f^{-1}(3)?\)
    input \(x\) -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
    output \(f(x)\) -2 1 4 3 -3 -6 2
  2. These functions are one-to-one on their implied domains. For each, write down a formula for its inverse.
    \(\displaystyle g(x) = \frac{x}{11}-42\)
    \(\displaystyle h(x) = \frac{2}{3}x^{1.416}\)
    \(\displaystyle k(x) = \sqrt[3]{3+x^7}-\frac{1}{4}\)
  3. The function with formula \(f(t) = \frac{5}{9}(t-32)\) takes a temperature \(t\) measured in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) and returns that temperature measured in degrees Celsius (°C). The function with formula \({g(t) = t+273.15}\) takes a temperature \(t\) measured in degrees Celsius and returns that temperature measured in Kelvins (K).
    1. Write down a formula for the function that take a temperature measured in °F and returns that temperature measured in Kelvins.
    2. Write down a formula for the function that take a temperature measured in °C and returns that temperature measured in °F.
    3. Write down a formula for the function that take a temperature measured in Kelvins. and returns that temperature measured in °F.

Challenge

Considering the domain of all real numbers, the function \(x^3\) is one-to-one, but \(x^2\) is not. What about if the exponent is a fraction? or a decimal number? The function \(h(x) = \frac{2}{3}x^{1.416}\) above was declared to be one-to-one, but is it? How do we know?

Big question: for what numbers \(b\) is the power function \(f(x) = x^b\) one-to-one?