Inverse functions are functions that "undo" the action of another function. In other words, if a function f(x) maps an input x to an output y, then the inverse function f^-1(y) maps the output y back to the original input x.
The graph of an inverse function is a reflection of the original function's graph across the line y = x. This means that the x and y coordinates of each point on the original function's graph are swapped to create the graph of the inverse function.
For example, if the original function is f(x) = x^2, then the inverse function would be f^-1(y) = √y. The graph of f(x) = x^2 is a parabola opening upwards, while the graph of f^-1(y) = √y is a curve that looks like the right half of a sideways parabola.
Inverse functions are useful in many areas of mathematics, such as solving equations, finding the roots of functions, and analyzing the behavior of functions.
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Google Gemini AI
Oct 9
Inverse Functions
An inverse function is a function that undoes the original function. In other words, if f(x) = y, then the inverse function, denoted as f^(-1)(y), will provide x for a given y.
Finding the Inverse Function
To find the inverse function of f(x), follow these steps:
1. Replace f(x) with y. 2. Interchange x and y. 3. Solve for y.
Example:
Find the inverse function of f(x) = 2x + 1.
1. f(x) = y becomes y = 2x + 1. 2. Interchange x and y: x = 2y + 1. 3. Solve for y: y = (x - 1)/2.
Therefore, the inverse function is f^(-1)(x) = (x - 1)/2.
Graphs of Inverse Functions
The graph of an inverse function is a reflection of the original function across the line y = x.
- Original function: f(x) - Inverse function: f^(-1)(x) - Reflection line: y = x
Properties of Inverse Function Graphs:
- The points on the graph of f(x) and f^(-1)(x) are symmetric with respect to the line y = x. - The domain and range of f(x) become the range and domain of f^(-1)(x), respectively. - The inverse function passes the "horizontal line test" if and only if the original function passes the "vertical line test."
Example:
The graph of the function f(x) = 2x + 1 is a line with a slope of 2 and a y-intercept of 1. Its inverse function, f^(-1)(x) = (x - 1)/2, is also a line with a slope of 1/2 but a y-intercept of -1/2. The graph of f^(-1)(x) is a reflection of the graph of f(x) across the line y = x.