1.7.3 Function, SPM Practice (Long Question)

Question 5:
In diagram below, the function g maps set P to set Q and the function h maps set Q to set R.

Find
(a) in terms of x, the function
(i) which maps set Q to set P,
(ii) h(x).
(b) the value of x such that gh(x) = 8x + 1.

Solution:
(a)(i)

\begin{array}{l} g (x) = 3 x + 2 \\ Let g^{- 1} (x) = y \\ g (y) = x \\ 3 y + 2 = x \\ y = \frac{x - 2}{3} \\ g^{- 1} (x) = \frac{x - 2}{3} \end{array}

(a)(ii)

\begin{array}{l} h g (x) = 12 x + 5 \\ h (3 x + 2) = 12 x + 5 \to g (x) = 3 x + 2 \\ Let u = 3 x + 2 \\ x = \frac{u - 2}{3} \\ h (u) = 12 (\frac{u - 2}{3}) + 5 \\ = 4 u - 8 + 5 \\ = 4 u - 3 \\ h (x) = 4 x - 3 \end{array}

(b)

\begin{array}{l} g h (x) = g (4 x - 3) \\ = 3 (4 x - 3) + 2 \\ = 12 x - 9 + 2 \\ = 12 x - 7 \\ 12 x - 7 = 8 x + 1 \\ 4 x = 8 \\ x = 2 \end{array}