Inverse functions

The inverse of a function is its reflection in the line y = x. The following graph shows the function `f(x) = 4x + 3` and its inverse `f^-1(x) = (x - 3)/4` and the line of reflection `y = x`.
Graph of y = 4x + 3 and its inverse
In order to find the inverse of a function, solve its equation for the independent variable, which is generally 'x'. For example for the function `y = 4x + 3`, in order to find its inverse, solve the equation for 'x':

`y = 4x + 3`
`y - 3 = 4x`
`(y - 3)/4 = x`
Exchanging x and y,
`y = (x - 3)/4`
 `y = (x - 3)/4` is the inverse of `y = 4x + 3`

1 comment:

  1. The point of inverse functions is to cancel or collapse
    a function back to the unchanged diagonal line x=y.

    One test is to plug the inverse into the function to see
    if the result is 'x', the starting point before modification by f(x)..

    ReplyDelete

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