AQA · Mathematics · 8300

GCSE Maths: Inverse functions

Algebra · AQA GCSE Maths (8300). Cards are generated from the Corbettmaths textbook exercise for Inverse functions (Corbettmaths Video 369), and every card links back to the exact page it came from. Practice tests are drawn from this deck’s own cards. Source material © Corbettmaths — used with attribution.

12 flashcards · Free to study · No account needed

Study this deck

Preparing your cards…

All questions and answers

Read through the full deck, or practise recalling each answer above.

  1. In the composite function fg(x), which function is applied first?

    Show answer

    g — fg(x) means f(g(x)), so g is applied first and f is applied to the result.

  2. What does the notation ff(x) mean?

    Show answer

    Apply f twice: ff(x) = f(f(x)).

  3. Given f(x) = 3x + 5, what is f(−2)?

    Show answer

    −1, since 3 × (−2) + 5 = −6 + 5.

  4. Given f(x) = 3x − 8, solve f(x) = 7.

    Show answer

    x = 5, since 3x − 8 = 7 gives 3x = 15.

  5. Given f(x) = x + 5 and g(x) = 3x − 1, what is fg(1)?

    Show answer

    7 — g(1) = 2, then f(2) = 7.

  6. Given f(x) = 2x + 1 and g(x) = x − 5, find fg(x).

    Show answer

    fg(x) = 2x − 9 — substitute g(x) into f: 2(x − 5) + 1.

  7. What does the notation f⁻¹(x) denote?

    Show answer

    The inverse function of f — it reverses f, so f⁻¹(f(x)) = x.

  8. What is the method for finding the inverse of a function f(x)?

    Show answer

    Write y = f(x), swap x and y, then rearrange to make y the subject.

  9. Given f(x) = 2x − 3, find f⁻¹(x).

    Show answer

    f⁻¹(x) = (x + 3) / 2 — reverse the steps: add 3, then divide by 2.

  10. Given f(x) = x² + 4x − 1, express f(x + 2) in the form ax² + bx + c.

    Show answer

    x² + 8x + 11 — expand (x + 2)² + 4(x + 2) − 1.

  11. Given f(x) = 5x + 7 and g(x) = 3x − 18, find a such that f(a) = g(a).

    Show answer

    a = −12.5 — 5a + 7 = 3a − 18 gives 2a = −25.

  12. Given f(x) = x² + 3x + 8, what is f(x + 1) − f(x)?

    Show answer

    2x + 4 — the x² and constant terms cancel, leaving (2x + 1) + 3.

Want to create your own cards? Create a free account. AI generation uses credits.