The function f\text{f} is defined by
f:x→2x−12x,0<x<2.\text{f} : x \to 2x - \frac{1}{2x}, \quad 0 < x < 2.
It is given that f−1\text{f}^{-1} exists.

  1. (a)

    Define f−1\text{f}^{-1} in a similar form.

  2. (b)

    Sketch the graphs of y=f(x)y = \text{f}(x) and y=f−1(x)y = \text{f}^{-1}(x) on the same diagram.

  3. (c)

    The region RR is bounded by the curve y=f−1(x)y = \text{f}^{-1}(x), y=xy = x and the yy-axis. Find the exact area of RR.

  4. (d)

    Another function g\text{g} is defined by
    g:x→{32+33x−11forx≤3,∣x−13x2∣for3<x≤5.\text{g} : x \to \begin{cases} \frac{3}{2} + \frac{3}{3x-11} & \text{for} \quad x \le 3, \\ \left| x - \frac{1}{3}x^2 \right| & \text{for} \quad 3 < x \le 5. \end{cases}
    Show that the composite function gf\text{gf} exists and find the range of gf\text{gf}.

Work through it with AI →

It won't just hand you the answer — it asks where you're stuck.How the checker works

Worked solution

10(a)

1. Set $y = \text{f}(x)$ and rearrange the expression into a quadratic equation in terms of $x$.

Let y=2x−12xy = 2x - \frac{1}{2x}.
Multiplying throughout by 2x2x:
2xy=4x2−12xy = 4x^2 - 1
4x2−2yx−1=04x^2 - 2yx - 1 = 0

2. Solve for $x$ using the quadratic formula and deduce the correct sign for the root.

Using the quadratic formula:
x=−(−2y)±(−2y)2−4(4)(−1)2(4)x = \frac{-(-2y) \pm \sqrt{(-2y)^2 - 4(4)(-1)}}{2(4)}
x=2y±4y2+168x = \frac{2y \pm \sqrt{4y^2 + 16}}{8}
x=2y±2y2+48x = \frac{2y \pm 2\sqrt{y^2 + 4}}{8}
x=y±y2+44x = \frac{y \pm \sqrt{y^2 + 4}}{4}

Since the domain of f\text{f} is 0<x<20 < x < 2, we require x>0x > 0.
Notice that y2+4>y2=∣y∣≥y\sqrt{y^2 + 4} > \sqrt{y^2} = |y| \ge y, which means y−y2+4<0y - \sqrt{y^2 + 4} < 0.
Thus, we must reject the negative root to ensure xx is positive:
x=y+y2+44x = \frac{y + \sqrt{y^2 + 4}}{4}

3. Find the domain of $\text{f}^{-1}$ by determining the range of $\text{f}$, and write the function in the required mapping form.

The domain of f−1\text{f}^{-1} is exactly the range of f\text{f}.
f(x)=2x−12x\text{f}(x) = 2x - \frac{1}{2x}
Since f′(x)=2+12x2>0\text{f}'(x) = 2 + \frac{1}{2x^2} > 0 for x>0x > 0, the function f\text{f} is strictly increasing.
As x→0+x \to 0^+, f(x)→−∞\text{f}(x) \to -\infty.
As x→2−x \to 2^-, f(x)→2(2)−12(2)=4−14=154\text{f}(x) \to 2(2) - \frac{1}{2(2)} = 4 - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{15}{4}.

The range of f\text{f} is therefore (−∞,154)\left(-\infty, \frac{15}{4}\right).
Consequently, the domain of f−1\text{f}^{-1} is x<154x < \frac{15}{4}.

Defining f−1\text{f}^{-1} in a similar mapping form:
f−1:x→x+x2+44,x<154\text{f}^{-1} : x \to \frac{x + \sqrt{x^2 + 4}}{4}, \quad x < \frac{15}{4}

Answer

f−1:x→x+x2+44,x<154\text{f}^{-1} : x \to \frac{x + \sqrt{x^2 + 4}}{4}, \quad x < \frac{15}{4}

10(b)

1. Identify the key features of the graph of $y = \text{f}(x)$.

For y=2x−12xy = 2x - \frac{1}{2x} where 0<x<20 < x < 2:

  • As x→0+x \to 0^+, y→−∞y \to -\infty, so the yy-axis (x=0x = 0) is a vertical asymptote.
  • To find the xx-intercept, set y=0y = 0:
    2x−12x=0  ⟹  x2=14  ⟹  x=12(since x>0)2x - \frac{1}{2x} = 0 \implies x^2 = \frac{1}{4} \implies x = \frac{1}{2} \quad \text{(since } x > 0\text{)}
    So the xx-intercept is (12,0)(\frac{1}{2}, 0).
  • As x→2−x \to 2^-, y→2(2)−14=154y \to 2(2) - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{15}{4}. The graph ends at an open circle (2,154)(2, \frac{15}{4}).

2. Identify the corresponding key features of $y = \text{f}^{-1}(x)$ by reflection in $y = x$.

Reflecting the features of f\text{f} across the line y=xy = x gives the properties of f−1\text{f}^{-1}:

  • The horizontal asymptote is the xx-axis (y=0y = 0).
  • The yy-intercept is (0,12)(0, \frac{1}{2}).
  • The graph ends at an open circle (154,2)(\frac{15}{4}, 2).

3. Find the point of intersection of the two graphs to ensure an accurate sketch.

The graphs of a function and its inverse intersect on the line y=xy = x. Set f(x)=x\text{f}(x) = x:
2x−12x=x  ⟹  x=12x  ⟹  x2=122x - \frac{1}{2x} = x \implies x = \frac{1}{2x} \implies x^2 = \frac{1}{2}
Since x>0x > 0, x=12x = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}.
The intersection point is (12,12)(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}).

4. Describe the final sketch of both graphs.

On the same axes, draw the line y=xy = x as a reference.

  • Sketch y=f(x)y = \text{f}(x) starting downwards asymptotically to x=0x=0, passing through (12,0)(\frac{1}{2}, 0) and (12,12)(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}), ending at an open circle (2,154)(2, \frac{15}{4}).
  • Sketch y=f−1(x)y = \text{f}^{-1}(x) starting leftwards asymptotically to y=0y=0, passing through (0,12)(0, \frac{1}{2}) and (12,12)(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}), ending at an open circle (154,2)(\frac{15}{4}, 2).
Answer

A sketch with y=f(x)y=\text{f}(x) passing through (0.5,0)(0.5, 0) to an open circle at (2,3.75)(2, 3.75) with vertical asymptote x=0x=0, and y=f−1(x)y=\text{f}^{-1}(x) passing through (0,0.5)(0, 0.5) to an open circle at (3.75,2)(3.75, 2) with horizontal asymptote y=0y=0. Both curves intersect on the line y=xy=x at (12,12)(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}).

10(c)

1. Find the limits of integration by determining the intersections of $y = \text{f}(x)$ with $y = x$ and the $x$-axis.

f(x)=x  ⟹  2x−12x=x\text{f}(x) = x \implies 2x - \frac{1}{2x} = x
x=12x  ⟹  2x2=1  ⟹  x=12 (since x>0)x = \frac{1}{2x} \implies 2x^2 = 1 \implies x = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \text{ (since } x > 0)
f(x)=0  ⟹  2x−12x=0\text{f}(x) = 0 \implies 2x - \frac{1}{2x} = 0
2x=12x  ⟹  4x2=1  ⟹  x=12 (since x>0)2x = \frac{1}{2x} \implies 4x^2 = 1 \implies x = \frac{1}{2} \text{ (since } x > 0)

2. Relate the area of region $R$ to the graph of $y = \text{f}(x)$ using symmetry.

By symmetry about the line y=xy = x, the region RR bounded by y=f−1(x)y = \text{f}^{-1}(x), y=xy = x and the yy-axis (x=0x = 0) has the exact same area as the reflected region bounded by y=f(x)y = \text{f}(x), y=xy = x and the xx-axis (y=0y = 0).
Thus, the area is the difference between the area of the triangle under y=xy = x (from x=0x=0 to x=12x=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}) and the area under y=f(x)y = \text{f}(x) (from x=12x=\frac{1}{2} to x=12x=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}):
Area=∫012x dx−∫1212(2x−12x) dx\text{Area} = \int_{0}^{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}} x \, \mathrm{d}x - \int_{\frac{1}{2}}^{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}} \left( 2x - \frac{1}{2x} \right) \, \mathrm{d}x

3. Evaluate the definite integrals to find the exact area.

∫012x dx=[12x2]012=12(12)=14\int_{0}^{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}} x \, \mathrm{d}x = \left[ \frac{1}{2}x^2 \right]_{0}^{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}} = \frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) = \frac{1}{4}
∫1212(2x−12x) dx=[x2−12ln⁡x]1212\int_{\frac{1}{2}}^{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}} \left( 2x - \frac{1}{2x} \right) \, \mathrm{d}x = \left[ x^2 - \frac{1}{2}\ln x \right]_{\frac{1}{2}}^{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}}
=(12−12ln⁡(2−1/2))−(14−12ln⁡(2−1))= \left( \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{2}\ln(2^{-1/2}) \right) - \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{2}\ln(2^{-1}) \right)
=(12+14ln⁡2)−(14+12ln⁡2)=14−14ln⁡2= \left( \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{4}\ln 2 \right) - \left( \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{2}\ln 2 \right) = \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{4}\ln 2
Area of R=14−(14−14ln⁡2)=14ln⁡2\text{Area of } R = \frac{1}{4} - \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{4}\ln 2 \right) = \frac{1}{4}\ln 2

Answer

\frac{1}{4}\ln 2

10(d)

1. Find the range of the inner function $\text{f}$.

For f(x)=2x−12x\text{f}(x) = 2x - \frac{1}{2x} with domain (0,2)(0, 2), the function is strictly increasing since f′(x)=2+12x2>0\text{f}'(x) = 2 + \frac{1}{2x^2} > 0 for all x∈(0,2)x \in (0, 2).
As x→0+x \to 0^+, f(x)→−∞\text{f}(x) \to -\infty.
As x→2−x \to 2^-, f(x)→2(2)−12(2)=154\text{f}(x) \to 2(2) - \frac{1}{2(2)} = \frac{15}{4}.
Therefore, the range of f\text{f} is Rf=(−∞,154)R_\text{f} = \left(-\infty, \frac{15}{4}\right).

2. Show that the composite function $\text{gf}$ exists.

From the definition of g\text{g}, its domain is Dg=(−∞,3]∪(3,5]=(−∞,5]D_\text{g} = (-\infty, 3] \cup (3, 5] = (-\infty, 5].
For the composite function gf\text{gf} to exist, we must satisfy the condition Rf⊆DgR_\text{f} \subseteq D_\text{g}.
Since Rf=(−∞,154)R_\text{f} = \left(-\infty, \frac{15}{4}\right) and 154=3.75≤5\frac{15}{4} = 3.75 \le 5, we have (−∞,154)⊆(−∞,5]\left(-\infty, \frac{15}{4}\right) \subseteq (-\infty, 5].
Thus, Rf⊆DgR_\text{f} \subseteq D_\text{g}, showing that gf\text{gf} exists.

3. Evaluate the range of $\text{g}(x)$ for the subset of $R_\text{f}$ where $x \le 3$.

To find the range of gf\text{gf}, we map RfR_\text{f} through g\text{g}. We split RfR_\text{f} at the boundary x=3x=3.
For x∈(−∞,3]x \in (-\infty, 3], g(x)=32+33x−11\text{g}(x) = \frac{3}{2} + \frac{3}{3x-11}.
This rational function is strictly decreasing for x<113x < \frac{11}{3}.
As x→−∞x \to -\infty, 33x−11→0−\frac{3}{3x-11} \to 0^-, so g(x)→(32)−\text{g}(x) \to \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^-.
At x=3x = 3, g(3)=32+33(3)−11=32−32=0\text{g}(3) = \frac{3}{2} + \frac{3}{3(3)-11} = \frac{3}{2} - \frac{3}{2} = 0.
Thus, the range of g\text{g} for this interval is [0,32)\left[0, \frac{3}{2}\right).

4. Evaluate the range of $\text{g}(x)$ for the remaining subset of $R_\text{f}$ where $3 < x < \frac{15}{4}$.

For x∈(3,154)x \in \left(3, \frac{15}{4}\right), g(x)=∣x−13x2∣\text{g}(x) = \left| x - \frac{1}{3}x^2 \right|.
The quadratic curve y=x−13x2=−13x(x−3)y = x - \frac{1}{3}x^2 = -\frac{1}{3}x(x-3) is an inverted parabola with roots at x=0x=0 and x=3x=3, and a maximum turning point at x=32x=\frac{3}{2}.
For x∈(3,154)x \in \left(3, \frac{15}{4}\right), y<0y < 0 and is strictly decreasing, so its absolute value g(x)=13x2−x\text{g}(x) = \frac{1}{3}x^2 - x is strictly increasing.
As x→3+x \to 3^+, g(x)→0\text{g}(x) \to 0.
As x→(154)−x \to \left(\frac{15}{4}\right)^-, g(x)→13(154)2−154=7516−6016=1516\text{g}(x) \to \frac{1}{3}\left(\frac{15}{4}\right)^2 - \frac{15}{4} = \frac{75}{16} - \frac{60}{16} = \frac{15}{16}.
Thus, the range of g\text{g} for this interval is (0,1516)\left(0, \frac{15}{16}\right).

5. Determine the overall range of the composite function $\text{gf}$.

The overall range of gf\text{gf} is the union of the ranges obtained from the two sub-intervals:
Rgf=[0,32)∪(0,1516)=[0,32)R_{\text{gf}} = \left[0, \frac{3}{2}\right) \cup \left(0, \frac{15}{16}\right) = \left[0, \frac{3}{2}\right)

Answer

[0,32)\left[0, \frac{3}{2}\right)

AI analysis — may contain mistakes.

Worked this one out on paper? Snap your steps and Gigle's AI math checker will circle the step where it went wrong.

More questions on this topic

  1. 1The functions ff and gg are defined by f:x↦16−4x,  x∈R,  x≤4,f : x \mapsto \sqrt{16 - 4x},\; x \in \mathbb{R},\; x \le 4, g:x↦x2,  x∈R.g : x \mapsto x^{2},\; x \in \mathbb{R}.…
  2. 2The curve C has equation x+y=(x−y)2x + y = (x - y)^2. It is given that C has only one turning point. Show that 1−dydx=21+2x−2y1 - \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{2}{1 + 2x - 2y}…
  3. 3Show that for x>1x>1, ddx(1x2−1)=−x(x2−1)3/2 .\dfrac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}x}\left(\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x^2-1}}\right)=-\dfrac{x}{(x^2-1)^{3/2}}\,.…
  4. 4The function gg is defined by g:x↦ln⁡(x−3)g : x \mapsto \ln(x - \sqrt{3}), for x∈Rx \in \mathbb{R}, x>3x > \sqrt{3}. Explain how yo…
  5. 5The function ff is defined by f:x↦x2−4x, x∈R, ∣x∣<1.f : x \mapsto x^2 - 4x,\ x \in \mathbb{R},\ |x|<1. The function gg is defined by g:x↦1+1x+3, x∈R, x≠−3.g : x \mapsto 1 + \frac{1}{x+3},\ x \in \mathbb{R},\ x \ne -3.…