AMAJUBA DISTRICT

GRADE 12 MATHEMATICS INVESTIGATION 2025 – PART A

TOPIC :FUNCTIONS AND INVERSES

TOTAL MARKS :50
TIME :PART A: 40 MINUTES (30 MARKS)
:PART B: 30 MINUTES (20 MARKS)

NAME OF LEARNER: CLASS:

NAME OF SCHOOL:

Aim of the investigation:

At the end of this investigation the learner will be able to:
(i) Determine the equation of the inverse graph.
(ii) Sketch the graph of the inverse.
(iii) State (with motivation), whether the inverse graph is a function or not.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Answer all the questions for each activity.
2. This question paper is a fill-in paper; therefore all answers to be completed in the spaces
provided.
3. Write neatly and legibly.
4. When drawing linear graphs, use a ruler. In the case of curves, ensure that smooth curves
are drawn.
5. Calculators may be used.
6. You are NOT ALLOWED to have any textbooks or notes with you during the duration of
writing.
7. This investigation is an INDIVIDUAL TASK to be completed in class under supervision.
No part of this work shall be done at home or in groups.

Background Knowledge required:

• Basic Grade 10 functions, excluding the hyperbola.
• Definition and description of a function.
• Grade 9 transformation geometry: Only the reflections that are prescribed in the CAPS
document.
This investigation consists of 9 pages.
Mathematics/Investigtion Grade 12 Amajuba District
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PART A

The following transformation rules are derived and applied in grade 9.

1. Reflection in the x-axis: ( x ; y) → ( x ; − y)

2. Reflection in the y-axis: ( x ; y) → (− x ; y)

3. Reflection in the line y = x: ( x ; y ) → ( y ; x)

Important Definitions and Descriptions.

A function is a relation that maps each input value to exactly one output value. A function may
be a one-to-one relation or a many-to-one relation.

In a one-to-one function each output value has exactly one input value.

Input Output
1 0
2 1
3 2

In a many-to-one function, an output value may have more than one input values.

Input Output
1 0
2 1
3

In a relation that is not a function, an input value may have more than one output values.

Input Output
1 0
2 1
2

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How to identify whether a graph is a function.

We can use a ruler to perform the VERTICAL LINE TEST on a graph to determine whether it is a
function or not. Hold a ruler parallel to the y-axis (vertical position). Move it from left to right
across the graph. If the ruler only ever cuts the graph AT ONE POINT as it moves from left to
right across the graph, then that graph represents a function. Another method is to simply draw a
vertical line anywhere on the graph, if it cuts the graph only once, then we say the graph PASSES
THE VERTICAL LINE TEST, therefore it is a function. If the vertical line cuts the graph more
than once, we say the graph FAILS THE VERTICAL LINE TEST, therefore it is not a function.

How to identify whether the graph is a one-to-one function or a many-to-one function.

If a ruler is moved parallel to the x-axis (horizontal position), and cuts the graph of a function AT
ONE POINT as the ruler sweeps from top to bottom across the graph, then that graph represents a
one-to-one function. It it cuts the graph at more than a single point at some point as it sweeps
across the graph, then the graph represents a many-to-one function. This process is called the
HORIZONTAL LINE TEST.

Inverse of a function
The inverse of a function is a relation that reverses the operations of the original function. If the
original function is indicated using the notation f ( x) then the notation f −1 ( x) is used to represent
its inverse only if the inverse is also a function. It should be noted that not all inverse graphs are
functions!!!!
The graph of the inverse of a function is the mirror image of the graph of the original function when
reflected in the line y = x .

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ACTIVITY 1 (The inverse of a linear function)

Two points A(2 ; 3) and B(–1 ; –9 ) lie on the graph of f ( x) = 4 x − 5 .

1.1 Dertermine the coordinates of the points A' and B', the images of A and B when
reflected across the line y = x . Use the rule (x ; y) → (y ; x)
________________________________________________________________ (2)

1.2 On the grid given below:

1.2.1 Use the points A(2 ; 3) and B(–1 ; –9 ) to draw the graph of f, spanning across the
grid. (1)

1.2.2 Use the points A' and B' to draw the graph of f −1 , spanning across the grid. (1)

1.2.3 Draw graph of y = x on the same set of axes. (1)

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1.3 Choose the correct option to complete the sentence below.

The image graph, (the graph of A'B') represents a _______________________________
( one-on-one function OR many-to-one function OR a relation that is not a function)

Motivate your answer. _____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________ (2)

To determine the equation of the inverse of a linear function:

1.4 Use the coordinates of A' and B' or any other points on f −1 to find the equation of f −1 .
Leave your answer in the form y = mx + c . (2)
_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

1.5 The function f ( x) can also be written as y = 4 x − 5 .

Applying the rule rule (x ; y) → (y ; x) for reflection in the line y = x will give
x = 4 y − 5 where x and y are swapped.
Solve for y in x = 4 y − 5 and leave your answer in the form y = mx + c . (1)

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

1.6 What do you notice about your answers to 1.4 and 1.5 above? (1)

_______________________________________________________________________
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ACTIVITY 2 (The inverse of a quadratic function)

2.1 Given that g ( x) = −2 x 2 , complete the table below by filling in the missing y – values.

x –2 –1 0 1 2

y
(2)

2.2 Use the rule for reflection in the line y = x , (x ; y) → (y ; x) to complete the table below
for the graph of the image of g.

y –2 –1 0 1 2
(1)

2.3 Draw the graphs of g ( x) = −2 x 2 , the line y = x and the image of g when reflected
across the line y = x on the grid below. Label each graph. (3)

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2.4 Choose the correct option in the brackets below to complete the sentence:
The image graph, represents a ______________________________
(one-on-one function OR many-to-one function OR a relation that is not a function)

Motivate your answer. ____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________ (2)

To determine the equation of the inverse of a quadratic function:

2.5 By applying the rule (x ; y) → (y ; x) as in question 1.5 above, show that the equation of
1
g −1 can be written as y =  − x. (2)
2

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
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ACTIVITY 3 (The inverse of an exponential function)

3.1 Given that h( x) = 2 x , complete the table below by filling in the missing y – values.

x –2 –1 0 1 2 3

y
(2)

3.2 Use the rule for reflection in the line y = x , (x ; y) → (y ; x) to complete the table below
for the graph of the image of h.

x
2 3
y –2 –1 0 1
(1)

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3.3 Draw the graphs of h( x) = 2 x , the line y = x and the image of h when reflected
across the line y = x on the grid below. Label each graph. (2)

3.4 Use your responses to 1.3, 2.4 and 3.3 (the graph) above to complete the statement below.
Select the correct answer from the brackets.

The inverse of a _____________________________________ (one-to-one OR many-to-one)

function is also a function; and

the inverse of a ___________________________________ (one-to-many OR many-to-one)

function is not a function.

(2)

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To determine the equation of the inverse of the exponential graph

The equation can be obtained by applying the reflection rule (x ; y) → (y ; x) to the original
equation.
The following definition of a logarithm needs to be used: If b x = c , then x = logb c

Example:
To determine the inverse of h( x) = 2 x :
Write the function in the form: y = 2 x
For the inverse: Interchange (or swap) x and y and in this way obtain x = 2 y .
Solving for y leads to: y = log 2 x .
Thus: h −1 ( x) = log2 x
x
1
3.6 Use the method above to determine the inverse of f ( x) =  
3
_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ (2)

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TOTAL FOR PART A: 30 MARKS

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