A LEVEL (P1)

FUNCTIONS

QUESTION'S
 QUESTIONS 1 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

1 The functions f and g are def ned as follows:

f : x → x2 − 2x, x ∈ ,
g : x → 2x + 3, x ∈ .

(i) Find the set of values of x for which f(x) > 15. [3]

(ii) Find the range of f and state, with a reason, whether f has an inverse. [4]

(iii) Show that the equation gf(x) = 0 has no real solutions. [3]

(iv) Sketch, in a single diagram, the graphs of y = g(x) and y = g−1 (x), making clear the relationship
between the graphs. [2]

2 The function f : x → 5 s i n 2 x + 3 c o s 2 x is define for the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ π.

(i) Express f(x) in the form a + b sin2 x, stating the values of a and b. [2]

(ii) Hence f nd the values of x for which f(x) = 7 sin x. [3]

(iii) State the range of f. [2]

3 The function f : x → 2x − a, w h e r e a is a constant, is defin d for all real x.

(i) In the case where a = 3, solve the equation ff(x) = 11. [3]

The function g : x → x2 − 6x is defin d for all real x.

(ii) Find the value of a for which the equation f(x) = g(x) has exactly one real solution. [3]

The function h : x → x2 − 6x is define for the domain x ≥ 3.

(iii) Express x2 − 6x in the form (x − p)2 − q, where p and q are constants. [2]

(iv) Find an expression for h−1 (x) and state the domain of h−1 . [4]

4 A function f is define by f : x → 3 − 2 s i n x, f o r 0 ◦ ≤ x ≤ 360◦.

(i) Find the range of f. [2]

(ii) Sketch the graph of y = f(x). [2]

A function g is def ned by g : x → 3 − 2 sin x, for 0◦ ≤ x ≤ A◦ , where A is a constant.

(iii) State the largest value of A for which g has an inverse. [1]

(iv) When A has this value, obtain an expression, in terms of x, for g−1 (x). [2]
QUESTIONS 2 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

5 A function f is define by f : x → (2x − 3)3 − 8, for 2 ≤ x ≤ 4.

(i) Find an expression, in terms of x, for f (x) and show that f is an increasing function. [4]

(ii) Find an expression, in terms of x, for f −1 (x) and f nd the domain of f −1 . [4]

6 Functions f and g are defin d by

f : x → k − x for x ∈ , where k is a constant,
9
g : x → for x ∈ , x ≠ −2.
x+2

(i) Find the values of k for which the equation f(x) = g(x) has two equal roots and solve the equation
f(x) = g(x) in these cases. [6]

(ii) Solve the equation fg(x) = 5 when k = 6. [3]

(iii) Express g−1 (x) in terms of x. [2]

7 The function f is def ned by f : x → x2 − 3x for x ∈  .

(i) Find the set of values of x for which f(x) > 4. [3]

(ii) Express f(x) in the form (x − a)2 − b, stating the values of a and b. [2]

(iii) Write down the range of f. [1]

(iv) State, with a reason, whether f has an inverse. [1]

√
The function g is define by g : x → x − 3 x for x ≥ 0.

(v) Solve the equation g(x) = 10. [3]

8 The function f is def ned by f(x) = a + b cos 2x, for 0 ≤ x ≤ π . It is given that f(0) = −1 and f
12 π  = 7.

(i) Find the values of a and b. [3]

(ii) Find the x-coordinates of the points where the curve y = f(x) intersects the x-axis. [3]

(iii) Sketch the graph of y = f(x). [2]

QUESTIONS 3 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS
9

6
The diagram shows the graph of y = f(x), where f : x → for x ≥ 0.
2x + 3

(i) Find an expression, in terms of x, for f  (x) and explain how your answer shows that f is a
decreasing function. [3]

(ii) Find an expression, in terms of x, for f −1 (x) and f nd the domain of f −1 . [4]

(iii) Copy the diagram and, on your copy, sketch the graph of y = f −1 (x), making clear the relationship
between the graphs. [2]

The function g is define by g : x → 12 x for x ≥ 0.

(iv) Solve the equation fg(x) = 32 . [3]

10 The function f is def ned by f : x → 2x2 − 8x + 11 for x ∈  .

(i) Express f(x) in the form a(x + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are constants. [3]

(ii) State the range of f. [1]

(iii) Explain why f does not have an inverse. [1]

The function g is define by g : x → 2x2 − 8x + 11 for x ≤ A, where A is a constant.

(iv) State the largest value of A for which g has an inverse. [1]

(v) When A has this value, obtain an expression, in terms of x, for g−1 (x) and state the range of g−1 .
[4]
QUESTIONS 4 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

11 The function f is such that f(x) = a − b cos x for 0◦ ≤ x ≤ 360◦, w h e r e a and b are positive constants.
The maximum value of f(x) is 10 and the minimum value is −2.

(i) Find the values of a and b. [3]

(ii) Solve the equation f(x) = 0. [3]

(iii) Sketch the graph of y = f(x). [2]

12 The function f is def ned by

f : x → 3x − 2 for x ∈ .

(i) Sketch, in a single diagram, the graphs of y = f(x) and y = f −1 (x), making clear the relationship
between the two graphs. [2]

The function g is define by

g : x → 6x − x2 for x ∈ .

(ii) Express gf(x) in terms of x, and hence show that the maximum value of gf(x) is 9. [5]

The function h is define by

h : x → 6x − x2 for x ≥ 3.

(iii) Express 6x − x2 in the form a − (x − b)2 , where a and b are positive constants. [2]

(iv) Express h−1 (x) in terms of x. [3]

13 Functions f and g are def ned by

f : x  → 2x + 1, x ∈ >, x > 0,
2x − 1
g : x  → , x ∈ >, x ≠ −3.
x+3

(i) Solve the equation gf(x) = x. [3]

(ii) Express f −1 (x) and g−1 (x) in terms of x. [4]

(iii) Show that the equation g−1 (x) = x has no solutions. [3]

(iv) Sketch in a single diagram the graphs of y = f(x) and y = f −1 (x), making clear the relationship
between the graphs. [3]

14 The function f is such that f(x) = 2 sin2 x − 3 cos2 x for 0 ≤ x ≤ π.

(i) Express f (x) in the form a + b cos2 x, stating the values of a and b. [2]

(ii) State the greatest and least values of f (x). [2]

(iii) Solve the equation f (x) + 1 = 0. [3]

QUESTIONS 5 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

15 The function f is define by f : x  → 2x2 − 12x + 7 for x ∈ >.

(i) Express f (x) in the form a(x − b)2 − c. [3]

(ii) State the range of f. [1]

(iii) Find the set of values of x for which f (x) < 21. [3]

The function g is def ned by g : x  → 2x + k for x ∈ >.

(iv) Find the value of the constant k for which the equation gf (x) = 0 has two equal roots. [4]

16 The functions f and g are def ned for x ∈ > by

f : x  → 4x − 2x2 ,
g : x  → 5x + 3.
(i) Find the range of f. [2]

(ii) Find the value of the constant k for which the equation gf (x) = k has equal roots. [3]

17 The function f : x  → 4 − 3 sin x is def ned for the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π.

(i) Solve the equation f (x) = 2. [3]

(ii) Sketch the graph of y = f (x). [2]

(iii) Find the set of values of k for which the equation f (x) = k has no solution. [2]

The function g : x  → 4 − 3 sin x is def ned for the domain 12 π ≤ x ≤ A.

(iv) State the largest value of A for which g has an inverse. [1]

(v) For this value of A, f nd the value of g−1 (3). [2]

18 Functions f and g are def ned for x ∈ > by

f : x  → 2x + 3,
g : x  → x2 − 2x.

Express gf (x) in the form a(x + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are constants. [5]

19 A function f is def ned by f : x  → 3 − 2 tan x12
for 0 ≤ x < π.

(i) State the range of f. [1]

(ii) State the exact value of f 23 π
. [1]

(iii) Sketch the graph of y = f (x). [2]

(iv) Obtain an expression, in terms of x, for f −1 (x). [3]

QUESTIONS 6 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

20 The function f is def ned by

f (x) = x2 − 4x + 7 for x > 2.

(i) Express f (x) in the form (x − a)2 + b and hence state the range of f. [3]

(ii) Obtain an expression for f −1 (x) and state the domain of f −1 . [3]

The function g is def ned by

g(x) = x − 2 for x > 2.
The function h is such that f = hg and the domain of h is x > 0.

(iii) Obtain an expression for h(x). [1]

21
y

x
O

The diagram shows the function f def ned for 0 ≤ x ≤ 6 by

x  → 12 x2 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2,
1
x  → 2x + 1 for 2 < x ≤ 6.

(i) State the range of f. [1]

(ii) Copy the diagram and on your copy sketch the graph of y = f −1 (x). [2]

(iii) Obtain expressions to def ne f −1 (x), giving the set of values of x for which each expression is
valid. [4]
 QUESTIONS 7 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

22 Functions f and g are def ned for x ∈ > by

f : x  → 2x + 1,
g : x  → x2 − 2.

(i) Find and simplify expressions for fg(x) and gf (x). [2]

(ii) Hence f nd the value of a for which fg(a) = gf (a). [3]

(iii) Find the value of b (b ≠ a) for which g(b) = b. [2]

(iv) Find and simplify an expression for f −1 g(x). [2]

The function h is def ned by

h : x  → x2 − 2, for x ≤ 0.

(v) Find an expression for h−1 (x). [2]

23 The function f is such that f(x) = 3 − 4 cosk x, for 0 ≤ x ≤ π, where k is a constant.

(i) In the case where k = 2,

(a) f nd the range of f, [2]
(b) f nd the exact solutions of the equation f (x) = 1. [3]

(ii) In the case where k = 1,

(a) sketch the graph of y = f (x), [2]
(b) state, with a reason, whether f has an inverse. [1]

x + 3 , x ∈ >, x ≠ 12 .
24 The function f is def ned by f : x  → 2x − 1

(i) Show that ff (x) = x. [3]

(ii) Hence, or otherwise, obtain an expression for f −1 (x). [2]

25 Functions f and g are def ned by

f : x  → 3x − 4, x ∈ >,
g : x  → 2(x − 1)3 + 8, x > 1.

(i) Evaluate fg(2). [2]

(ii) Sketch in a single diagram the graphs of y = f (x) and y = f −1 (x), making clear the relationship
between the graphs. [3]

(iii) Obtain an expression for g ′(x) and use your answer to explain why g has an inverse. [3]

(iv) Express each of f −1 (x) and g−1 (x) in terms of x. [4]

 QUESTIONS 8 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

26 A functi on f is def ned for x ∈ > and is such that f ′(x) = 2x − 6. The range of the function is given by
f ( x) ≥ − 4.

(i) State the value of x for which f (x) has a stationary value. [1]

(ii) Find an expression for f (x) in terms of x. [4]

27 Functions f and g are def ned by

f : x  → 2x2 − 8x + 10 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2,
g : x  → x for 0 ≤ x ≤ 10.

(i) Express f (x) in the form a(x + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are constants. [3]

(ii) State the range of f. [1]

(iii) State the domain of f −1 . [1]

(iv) Sketch on the same diagram the graphs of y = f (x), y = g(x) and y = f −1 (x), making clear the
relationship between the graphs. [4]

(v) Find an expression for f −1 (x). [3]

28 The functions f and g are def ned for x ∈ > by

f : x  → 3x + a,
g : x  → b − 2x,

where a and b are constants. Given that ff (2) = 10 and g−1 (2) = 3, f nd
(i) the values of a and b, [4]
(ii) an expression for fg(x). [2]

29 Functions f and g are def ned by

f : x  → 2x + 3 for x ≤ 0,
2
g : x  → x − 6x for x ≤ 3.

(i) Express f −1 (x) in terms of x and solve the equation f (x) = f −1 (x). [3]

(ii) On the same diagram sketch the graphs of y = f (x) and y = f −1 (x), showing the coordinates of
their point of intersection and the relationship between the graphs. [3]

(iii) Find the set of values of x which satisfy gf (x) ≤ 16. [5]
 QUESTIONS 9 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

30 The function f : x  → x2 − 4x + k is def ned for the domain x ≥ p, where k and p are constants.

(i) Express f (x) in the form (x + a)2 + b + k, where a and b are constants. [2]

(ii) State the range of f in terms of k. [1]

(iii) State the smallest value of p for which f is one-one. [1]

(iv) For the value of p found in part (iii), f nd an expression for f −1 (x) and state the domain of f −1 ,
giving your answers in terms of k. [4]

31 Functions f and g are def ned by

f : x  → 2x + 5 for x ∈ >,
8
g : x  → for x ∈ >, x ≠ 3.
x−3

(i) Obtain expressions, in terms of x, for f −1 (x) and g−1 (x), stating the value of x for which g−1 (x)
is not def ned. [4]

(ii) Sketch the graphs of y = f (x) and y = f −1 (x) on the same diagram, making clear the relationship
between the two graphs. [3]

(iii) Given that the equation fg(x) = 5 − kx, where k is a constant, has no solutions, f nd the set of
possible values of k. [5]

32 The function f is such that f(x) = 8 − (x − 2)2, for x ∈ >.

(i) Find the coordinates and the nature of the stationary point on the curve y = f (x). [3]

The function g is such that g(x) = 8 − (x − 2)2 , for k ≤ x ≤ 4, where k is a constant.

(ii) State the smallest value of k for which g has an inverse. [1]

For this value of k,

(iii) f nd an expression for g−1 (x), [3]
(iv) sketch, on the same diagram, the graphs of y = g(x) and y = g−1 (x). [3]

33 The function f is def ned by f(x) = 4x2 − 24x + 11, for x ∈ >.

(i) Express f (x) in the form a(x − b)2 + c and hence state the coordinates of the vertex of the graph
of y = f (x). [4]

The function g is def ned by g(x) = 4x2 − 24x + 11, for x ≤ 1.

(ii) State the range of g. [2]

(iii) Find an expression for g−1 (x) and state the domain of g−1 . [4]
 QUESTIONS 10 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

A function f is such that f(x) =   + 1, for x ≥ −3. Find

x+3
34
2
(i) f −1 (x) in the form ax2 + bx + c, where a, b and c are constants, [3]
(ii) the domain of f −1 . [1]

1 1
35 The functions f and g are def ned for − π2 ≤ x ≤ 2
π by

f (x) = 12 x + 16 π ,
g(x) = cos x.

Solve the following equations for − 12 π ≤ x ≤ 12 π .

(i) gf (x) = 1, giving your answer in terms of π . [2]

(ii) fg(x) = 1, giving your answers correct to 2 decimal places. [4]

36
y

y = 11 – x 2

A (p, q)

x
O

y=5–x

(i) The diagram shows part of the curve y = 11 − x2 and part of the straight line y = 5 − x meeting at
the point A (p, q), where p and q are positive constants. Find the values of p and q. [3]

(ii) The function f is def ned for the domain x ≥ 0 by

11 − x2
f (x) = 
for 0 ≤ x ≤ p,
5−x for x > p.
Express f −1 (x) in a similar way. [5]
 QUESTIONS 11 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

37 (i) Express 2x2 − 12x + 13 in the form a x + b
2 + c, where a, b and c are constants. [3]

(ii) The function f is defin d by f x
= 2x2 − 12x + 13 for x ≥ k, where k is a constant. It is given
that f is a one-one function. State the smallest possible value of k. [1]

The value of k is now given to be 7.

(iii) Find the range of f. [1]

(iv) Find an expression for f −1 x
and state the domain of f −1 . [5]

38 The function f is defin d by f : x  → 2x + k, x ∈ >, where k is a constant.

(i) In the case where k = 3, solve the equation ff x
= 25. [2]

The function g is defi ed by g : x  → x2 − 6x + 8, x ∈ >.

(ii) Find the set of values of k for which the equation f x
= g x
has no real solutions. [3]

The function h is defi ed by h : x  → x2 − 6x + 8, x > 3.

(iii) Find an expression for h−1 x
. [4]

39 The function f is defined by

f : x  → x2 + 1 for x ≥ 0.

(i) Define in a similar way the inverse function f −1 . [3]

(ii) Solve the equation ff x
= 185

16
. [3]

40 A function f is defined by f : x  → 3 cos x − 2 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 20.

(i) Solve the equation f x
= 0. [3]

(ii) Find the range of f. [2]

(iii) Sketch the graph of y = f x
. [2]

A function g is defined by g : x  → 3 cos x − 2 for 0 ≤ x ≤ k.

(iv) State the maximum value of k for which g has an inverse. [1]

(v) Obtain an expression for g−1 x
. [2]

QUESTIONS 12 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

41 A curve has equation y = 2x2 − 3x.

(i) Find the set of values of x for which y > 9. [3]

(ii) Express 2x2 − 3x in the form a x + b
2 + c, where a, b and c are constants, and state the coordinates
of the vertex of the curve. [4]

The functions f and g are defined for all real values of x by

f x
= 2x2 − 3x and g x
= 3x + k ,
where k is a constant.

(iii) Find the value of k for which the equation [3]

42 The function f is defined by f : x  → x2 + 4x for x ≥ c, where c is a constant. It is given that f is a

one-one function.

(i) State the range of f in terms of c and find the smallest possible value of c. [3]

The function g is defined by g : x  → ax + b for x ≥ 0, where a and b are positive constants. It is given
that, when c = 0, gf 1
= 11 and fg 1
= 21.

43 (ii) Write down two equations in a and b and solve them to find the values of a and b. [6]
y

x
O

The diagram shows the function f defined for −1 ≤ x ≤ 4, where

t
3x − 2 for −1 ≤ x ≤ 1,
f x
= 4
for 1 < x ≤ 4.
5−x

(i) State the range of f. [1]

(ii) Copy the diagram and on your copy sketch the graph of y = f −1 x
. [2]

(iii) Obtain expressions to define the function f −1 , giving also the set of values for which each
expression is valid. [6]
QUESTIONS 13 TOPIC: 3 FUNCTIONS

44 Functions f and g are defined by

f : x  → 2x − 3, x ∈ >,
g : x  → x2 + 4x, x ∈ >.

(i) Solve the equation ff x
= 11. [2]

(ii) Find the range of g. [2]

(iii) Find the set of values of x for which g x
> 12. [3]

(iv) Find the value of the constant p for which the equation gf x
= p has two equal roots. [3]

Function h is defined by h : x  → x2 + 4x for x ≥ k, and it is given that h has an inverse.

(v) State the smallest possible value of k. [1]

(vi) Find an expression for h−1 x
. [4]

45 The function f : x  → a + b cos x is defined for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π . Given that f (0) = 10 and that f 23 π
= 1, find
(i) the values of a and b, [2]
(ii) the range of f, [1]
(iii) the exact value of f 56 π
. [2]

46 The function f : x  → 2x2 − 8x + 14 is defined for x ∈ >.

(i) Find the values of the constant k for which the line y + kx = 12 is a tangent to the curve y = f (x).
[4]

(ii) Express f (x) in the form a(x + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are constants. [3]

(iii) Find the range of f. [1]

The function g : x  → 2x2 − 8x + 14 is defined for x ≥ A.

(iv) Find the smallest value of A for which g has an inverse. [1]

(v) For this value of A, find an expression for g−1 (x) in terms of x. [3]