1. Functions and Inverses
In Grade 12, we expand our knowledge of functions to include their inverses. The
inverse function, denoted as 𝑓 −1 , essentially “undoes” what the original function 𝑓 did.
Graphically, the inverse is a reflection of the original function across the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.
• Horizontal Line Test: A function has an inverse that is also a function only if any
horizontal line passes through the graph of 𝑓 no more than once.
• Parabolas: Since 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 fails the horizontal line test, we must restrict the
domain (usually to 𝑥 ≥ 0 or 𝑥 ≤ 0) to make its inverse a function.
, Problem 1 Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 for 𝑥 ≤ 0:
• 1.1. Write down the equation of 𝑓 −1 in the form 𝑦 =. ..
• 1.2. State the domain and range of 𝑓 −1 .
Solution
• 1.1. To find the inverse, swap 𝑥 and 𝑦:
𝑥 = 3𝑦 2
𝑥
𝑦2 =
3
𝑥
𝑦 = ±√
3
Since the original domain was 𝑥 ≤ 0, the range of the inverse must be 𝑦 ≤ 0.
Therefore:
𝑥
𝑦 = −√
3
• 1.2. The range of 𝑓 becomes the domain of 𝑓 −1 . For 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 , if 𝑥 ≤ 0, then
𝑦 ≥ 0. Domain of 𝑓 −1 : 𝑥 ≥ 0 Range of 𝑓 −1 : 𝑦 ≤ 0
2. Financial Mathematics
This section focuses on Annuities, which are sequences of equal payments made at
regular intervals.
• Future Value Annuity: Used for savings or “sinking funds.”
𝑥[(1 + 𝑖)𝑛 − 1]
𝐹=
𝑖
• Present Value Annuity: Used for loans or withdrawals from a retirement fund.
𝑥[1 − (1 + 𝑖)−𝑛 ]
𝑃=
𝑖
• Variables: 𝑥 is the regular payment, 𝑖 is the interest rate per period, and 𝑛 is the
total number of payments.
Problem 2 Teboho takes out a loan of R 250 000 to start a business. The bank charges
interest at 12% per annum compounded monthly. He repays the loan with equal monthly
installments over 5 years, starting one month after the loan was granted. Calculate his
monthly installment.