KS5 "Full Coverage": Functions

This worksheet is designed to cover one question of each type seen in past papers, for each A
Level topic. This worksheet was automatically generated by the DrFrostMaths Homework
Platform: students can practice this set of questions interactively by going to
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Question 1
Categorisation: Find the expression of a function for some arbitrary algebraic input,
e.g. 𝒇(𝒙𝟐 ).

[Edexcel C3 June 2014(R) Q6c] The function 𝑔 is defined by

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑙𝑛 (2𝑥) , 𝑥>0

Solve the equation

𝑔(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥 2 ) + 𝑔(𝑥 3 ) = 6

giving your answer in its simplest form.

𝑥 = ..........................

Question 2
Categorisation: Use 𝒇(𝒂) = 𝒃 for known 𝒂 and 𝒃 to find the value of unknown
coefficients in a function.

[Edexcel A2 Specimen Papers P1 Q5ai Edited]

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 − 𝑎𝑥 + 48 , where 𝑎 is a constant

Given that 𝑓(−6) = 0 , find the value of 𝑎 .

..........................

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Question 3
Categorisation: Some functional equations involving exponential terms.

[Edexcel C3 June 2012 Q6c] The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 𝑒 𝑥 + 2 𝑥∈ℝ

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 𝑥>0

Find the exact value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓(2𝑥 + 3) = 6 .

..........................

Question 4
Categorisation: Find the output of a composite function.

[Edexcel A2 Specimen Papers P1 Q10c]

The function 𝑓 is defined by

3𝑥 − 5
𝑓: 𝑥 → , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≠ −1
𝑥+1

The function 𝑔 is defined by

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5

Find the value of 𝑓𝑔(2) .

𝑓𝑔(2) = ..........................

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Question 5
Categorisation: Determine a composite function.

[Edexcel A2 Specimen Papers P1 Q10b] The function 𝑓 is defined by

3𝑥 − 5
𝑓: 𝑥 → , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≠ −1
𝑥+1

Show that

𝑥+𝑎
𝑓𝑓(𝑥) = , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≠ ±1
𝑥−1

where 𝑎 is an integer to be found.

..........................

Question 6
Categorisation: Solve a functional equation involving a composite function.

[Edexcel C3 June 2014(R) Q6e] The function 𝑓 is defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 𝑒 2𝑥 + 𝑘 2 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ , 𝑘 is a positive constant.

The function 𝑔 is defined by

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑙𝑛 (2𝑥) , 𝑥>0

Find, in terms of the constant 𝑘 , the solution of the equation 𝑓𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑘 2 .

𝑥 = ..........................

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Question 7
Categorisation: Solve an equation involving a modulus function within a composite
function.

[OCR C3 June 2016 Q8iii Edited]

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

𝑓(𝑥) = |2𝑥 + 𝑎| + 3𝑎 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 5𝑥 − 4𝑎

where 𝑎 is a positive constant.

Solve for 𝑥 the equation 𝑔𝑓(𝑥) = 31𝑎 .

..........................

Question 8
Categorisation: As above.

[OCR C3 June 2015 Q8iii]

The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined as follows:

𝑓(𝑥) = 2 + 𝑙𝑛 (𝑥 + 3) for 𝑥 ≥ 0

𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 for all real values of 𝑥 , where 𝑎 is a positive constant.

Given that 𝑓𝑓(𝑒 𝑁 − 3) = 𝑙𝑛 (53𝑒 2 ) , find the value of 𝑁 .

..........................

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Question 9
Categorisation: Appreciate that 𝒇𝒈(𝒙) is not necessarily the same as 𝒈𝒇(𝒙).

[Edexcel A2 SAM P2 Q4b Edited]

Given

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 , 𝑥∈ℝ

𝑔(𝑥) = 3 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 , 𝑥 >0, 𝑥 ∈ℝ

It can be shown that 𝑔𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 .

Show that there is only one real value of 𝑥 for which 𝑔𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓𝑔(𝑥) , stating this solution.

..........................

Question 10
Categorisation: Appreciate that 𝒈𝟐 (𝒙) is not the same as [𝒈(𝒙)]𝟐 .

[Edexcel C3 June 2013(R) Q4d]

The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 2|𝑥| + 3 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ 𝑅 𝑔: 𝑥 → 3 − 4𝑥 , 𝑥∈ℝ

Solve the equation

..........................

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Question 11
Categorisation: Determine the range of a composite function.

[Edexcel C3 June 2011 Q4d]

The function 𝑓 is defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 4 − 𝑙𝑛 (𝑥 + 2) , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ , 𝑥 ≥ −1

The function g is defined by

Find the range of 𝑓𝑔 .

..........................

Question 12
Categorisation: As above.

[Edexcel C3 Jan 2006 Q8c Edited]

The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 2𝑥 + 𝑙𝑛 2 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑒 2𝑥 , 𝑥∈ℝ

It can be shown that 𝑔𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑒 4𝑥

Write down the range of 𝑔𝑓 .

..........................

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Question 13
Categorisation: Use a graph to find the output of a composite function.

[Edexcel C3 Jan 2013 Q3a]

Figure 1 shows part of the curve with equation 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

Find the value of 𝑓𝑓(−3) .

𝑓𝑓(−3) = ..........................

Question 14
Categorisation: As above.

[Edexcel C3 June 2013 Q7b] The function 𝑓 has domain −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6 and is linear from
(−2,10) to (2,0) and from (2,0) to (6,4) . A sketch of the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is shown in the
figure.

Find 𝑓𝑓(0) .

𝑓𝑓(0) = ..........................

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Question 15
Categorisation: Use a function expressed graphically combined with a function
expressed algebraically to solve an equation involving a composite function.

[Edexcel C3 June 2013 Q7d]

The function 𝑓 has domain −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6 and is linear from (−2,10) to (2,0) and from (2,0)
to (6,4) . A sketch of the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is shown in the figure.

4+3𝑥 5𝑥−4
The function 𝑔 is defined by 𝑔: 𝑥 → 5−𝑥
, and it can be shown that 𝑔−1 (𝑥) = 3+𝑥

Solve the equation 𝑔𝑓(𝑥) = 16 .

..........................

Question 16
Categorisation: Determine whether a function has an inverse.

[Edexcel A2 Specimen Papers P1 Q10e Edited]

The function 𝑔 is defined by

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5

Decide whether the function 𝑔 has an inverse.

[ ] It has an inverse
[ ] It has not an inverse

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Question 17
Categorisation: Determine an inverse function.

[Edexcel A2 Specimen Papers P1 Q10a]

The function 𝑓 is defined by

3𝑥 − 5
𝑓: 𝑥 → , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≠ −1
𝑥+1

Find 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)

𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = ..........................

Question 18
Categorisation: Solve an equation involving an inverse function.

[Edexcel C3 June 2014 Q5c]

Find the exact value of 𝑎 for which 𝑔(𝑎) = 𝑔−1 (𝑎)

𝑎 = ..........................

Question 19
Categorisation: Solve an equation involving an inverse trig function.

[Edexcel C3 June 2016 Q7b]

𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 , −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1

Find the exact value of 𝑥 for which

3𝑔(𝑥 + 1) + 𝜋 = 0

..........................

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Question 20
Categorisation: Find the inverse of a logarithmic function.

[Edexcel C3 Jan 2007 Q6a Edited]

The function 𝑓 is defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 𝑙𝑛 (4 − 2𝑥) , 𝑥 < 2 and 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

Find the inverse function of 𝑓 .

𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = ..........................

Question 21
Categorisation: Determine the domain or range given parametric functions.

[Edexcel A2 Specimen Papers P2 Q10a]

Figure 4 shows a sketch of the curve 𝐶 with parametric equations

1 2
𝑥 = 𝑙𝑛 (𝑡 + 2), 𝑦= , 𝑡>−
𝑡+1 3

State the domain of values of 𝑥 for the curve 𝐶 .

..........................

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Question 22
Categorisation: Determine the range of a quadratic function.

[Edexcel A2 Specimen Papers P1 Q10d]

The function 𝑔 is defined by

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5

Find the range of 𝑔 .

..........................

Question 23
Categorisation: As above.

[Edexcel C3 June 2010 Q4d]

The function 𝑔 is defined by

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 , 𝑥 ∈ℝ, 0≤𝑥 ≤ 5.

Find the range of 𝑔 .

..........................

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Question 24
Categorisation: Determine the range of a function involving a square root.

[Edexcel C3 June 2017 Q3a]

Figure 1 shows a sketch of part of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) , where

𝑔(𝑥) = 3 + √𝑥 + 2 , 𝑥 ≥ −2

State the range of 𝑔 .

..........................

Question 25
Categorisation: Determine the domain of an inverse function.

[Edexcel C3 June 2014(R) Q6b]

The function 𝑓 is defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 𝑒 2𝑥 + 𝑘 2 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ , 𝑘 is a positive constant.

Find 𝑓 −1 and state its domain.

..........................

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Question 26
Categorisation: Determine the range of a function involving an exponential term.

[Edexcel C3 June 2014(R) Q6a] The function 𝑓 is defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 𝑒 2𝑥 + 𝑘 2 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ , 𝑘 is a positive constant.

State the range of 𝑓 .

..........................

Question 27
Categorisation: Determine the range of a modulus function.

[Edexcel C3 June 2013(R) Q4a] The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 2|𝑥| + 3 , 𝑥∈ℝ
𝑔: 𝑥 → 3 − 4𝑥 , 𝑥∈ℝ

State the range of 𝑓 .

..........................

Question 28
Categorisation: Determine a domain/range given a graph.

[Edexcel C3 June 2013 Q7a] The function 𝑓 has domain −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6 and is linear from
(−2,10) to (2,0) and from (2,0) to (6,4) . A sketch of the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is shown in the
figure.

Write down the range of 𝑓 .

..........................

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Question 29
Categorisation: Appreciate that the domain of an inverse function is the same as the
range of the original function (except with modified notation).

[Edexcel C3 June 2011 Q4b] The function 𝑓 is defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 4 − 𝑙𝑛 (𝑥 + 2) , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ , 𝑥 ≥ −1

Find the domain of 𝑓 −1 .

..........................

Question 30
Categorisation: Determine the range of a composite function.

[Edexcel C3 Jan 2009 Q5c Edited]

The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 3𝑥 + 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 , 𝑥 > 0 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ
2
𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑒 𝑥 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ
2
It can be shown that 𝑓𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑥 2 + 3𝑒 𝑥 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

Write down the range of 𝑓𝑔 .

..........................

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Question 31
Categorisation: Consider the number of points of intersection of a modulus graph
with another graph.

[Edexcel A2 SAM P2 Q11c]

Figure 2 shows a sketch of part of the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) , where

𝑓(𝑥) = 2|3 − 𝑥| + 5 , 𝑥 ≥ 0

Given that the equation 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘 , where 𝑘 is a constant, has two distinct roots, state the set
of possible values for 𝑘 .

..........................

Question 32
Categorisation: Solve an equation involving a modulus function.

[Edexcel A2 SAM P2 Q11b] (Continued from above)

𝑓(𝑥) = 2|3 − 𝑥| + 5 , 𝑥 ≥ 0
1
Solve the equation 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 𝑥 + 30

..........................

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Question 33
Categorisation: Find the range of a modulus function.

[Edexcel A2 SAM P2 Q11a] (Continued from above)

𝑓(𝑥) = 2|3 − 𝑥| + 5 , 𝑥 ≥ 0

State the range of 𝑓 .

..........................

Question 34
Categorisation: Use a given modulus graph to find unknowns within the equation.

[Edexcel C3 June 2014 Q4c]

The figure shows part of the graph with equation 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎|𝑥 − 𝑏| − 1 , where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants, state the value of 𝑎 and the
value of 𝑏 .

..........................

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Question 35
Categorisation: The reverse: Use an equation involving a modulus expression to find
unknown points within its graph.

[Edexcel C3 June 2005 Q6c]

Figure 1 shows part of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ . The graph consists of two line segments
that meet at the point (1, 𝑎) , 𝑎 < 0 . One line meets the x-axis at (3, 0). The other line
meets the 𝑥 -axis at (–1, 0) and the 𝑦 -axis at (0, 𝑏) , 𝑏 < 0.

Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥 − 1| − 2 , find the value of 𝑎 and the value of 𝑏 .

..........................

Question 36
Categorisation: Solve an equation involving a modulus expression and unknown
constants.

[Edexcel C3 June 2017 Q6b]

Given that 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive constants, and that the equation

3
|2𝑥 − 𝑎| + 𝑏 = 𝑥 + 8
2

has a solution at 𝑥 = 0 and a solution at 𝑥 = 𝑐 , find 𝑐 in terms of 𝑎 .

𝑐 = ..........................

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Question 37
Categorisation: Reason about an asymptote in a modulus graph.

[Edexcel C3 June 2016 Q4aiii]

Figure 1 shows a sketch of part of the curve with equation 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) , where

𝑔(𝑥) = |4𝑒 2𝑥 − 25| , 𝑥 ∈ℝ.

The curve cuts the 𝑦 -axis at the point 𝐴 and meets the 𝑥 -axis at the point 𝐵 . The curve has
an asymptote 𝑦 = 𝑘 , where 𝑘 is a constant, as shown in Figure 1.

Find the value of the constant 𝑘 , giving your answer in its simplest form.

..........................

Question 38
Categorisation: Solve modulus equations involving an exponential term.

[Edexcel C3 June 2015 Q2c]

Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑒 𝑥 − 5 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ .

Find the exact solutions of the equation |𝑓(𝑥)| = 2

..........................

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Question 39
Categorisation: Solve modulus equations involving a reciprocal graph.

[Edexcel C3 June 2007 Q5d] The functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined by

2
𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑥−3
, 𝑥 ∈ℝ, 𝑥 ≠ 3

2
Find the exact values of 𝑥 for which |𝑥−3| = 3

..........................

Question 40
Categorisation: Solve equations where the modulus term is being subtracted.

[Edexcel C3 June 2008 Q3d]

Figure 1 shows the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ. The graph consists of two line segments that
meet at the point 𝑃 .

The graph cuts the 𝑦 -axis at the point 𝑄 and the 𝑥 -axis at the points (–3, 0) and 𝑅 .
1
Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 − |𝑥 + 1| , solve 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 .
2

..........................

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Question 41
Categorisation: Solve an inequality involving a modulus term.

[Edexcel C3 June 2014(R) Q5c] By a suitable sketch of 𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 3 or otherwise, find the

3
|4𝑥 − 3| > − 2𝑥
2

..........................

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Answers

Question 1
𝑒
𝑥=
√2

Question 2
𝑎=4

Question 3
𝑙𝑛 4 − 3
𝑥=
2

Question 4
𝑓𝑔(2) = 11

Question 5
𝑎 = −5

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Question 6
𝑘
𝑥=2

Question 7
5 3
𝑥 = − 𝑎 or 𝑥 = 𝑎
2 2

Question 8
𝑁 = 48

Question 9
𝑥 = √3

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Question 10
𝑥 = 0 or 𝑥 = 0.5

Question 11
𝑓𝑔(𝑥) ≤ 4

Question 12
𝑔𝑓(𝑥) > 0

Question 13
𝑓𝑓(−3) = 2

Question 14
𝑓𝑓(0) = 3

Question 15
𝑥 = 0.4 or 𝑥 = 6

Question 16
It has not an inverse

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Question 17
𝑥+5
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 3−𝑥

Question 18
3+√13
𝑎=
2

Question 19

√3
𝑥 = −1 −
2

Question 20
1
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 2 − 2 𝑒 𝑥

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Question 21
4
𝑥 > 𝑙𝑛 ( )
3

Question 22
𝑔(𝑥) ≥ −2.25 or 𝑔(𝑥) ≤ 10

Question 23
𝑔(𝑥) ≥ −3 and 𝑔(𝑥) ≤ 6

Question 24
𝑦≥3

Question 25
1
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 2 𝑙𝑛 (𝑥 − 𝑘 2 ) , 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛: = 𝑥 > 𝑘 2

Question 26
𝑓(𝑥) > 𝑘 2

Question 27
𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 3

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Question 28
𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 0 and 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 10

Question 29
𝑥≤4

Question 30
𝑓𝑔(𝑥) ≥ 3

Question 31
𝑘 > 5 or 𝑘 ≤ 11

Question 32
62
𝑥=
3

Question 33
𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 5

Question 34
𝑎 =2,𝑏 =6

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Question 35
𝑎 = −2 , 𝑏 = −1

Question 36
𝑐 = 4𝑎

Question 37
𝑘 = 25

Question 38
7 3
𝑥 = 𝑙𝑛 (2) or 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑛 (2)

Question 39
11 7
𝑥= 3
or 𝑥 = 3

Question 40
2
𝑥 = 3 or 𝑥 = −6

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Question 41
3
𝑥 𝑛𝑒
4

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