How do you graph the function #f(x)=abs(2x)# and its inverse?

1 Answer
Sep 24, 2017

See below.

Explanation:

Graph #f(x) = | 2x |# piecewise:

Notice that #f(x) = |2x|# is equivalent to #f(x) = 2x# for #x >=0#
and #f(x) = -2x# for #x <= 0# ,because the absolute value is always positive.

The graph will look like this:

graph{|2x| [-22.8, 22.8, -11.4, 11.4]}

The function #f(x) = |2x|# maps two elements in the domain to one element in the range:

example: #-2# and #2# both map to #4#.

The inverse would then need to map #4# onto both #-2# and #2# . This is a one many relationship, and is therefore NOT A FUNCTION. However inverse functions can be found by restricting the domain of the function:

Example: #f(x) = |2x|# for domain #{x in RR^+}#

would have #f^-1(x) = (x/2)#

And: #f(x) = |2x|# for domain #{x in RR^- }#

would have #f^-1(x) = -(x/2)#

graph:

Inverse for domain #RR^+#
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Inverse for domain #RR^-#

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