View Full Version : Inverse function
elitewarr
Apr26-10, 08:01 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Find the inverse function for f(x) = x + 4/x
2. Relevant equations
3. The attempt at a solution
I tried many times but just can't get the answer.
Is there any trick to this question?
Thank you
CompuChip
Apr26-10, 08:11 AM
Basically, what you want to do, is solve
y = 4x + 4/x
for x.
Secretly, you can view this as a quadratic equation. You can either multiply through by x, then this becomes immediately apparent.
If you're looking for a more general approach, I suggest combining the two fractions (4x/1 and 4/x) on the right hand side into a single fraction A/B, then you can cross-multiply (y = A/B becomes yB = A).
In both cases, you can get an equation of the form
ax2 + bx + c = 0
the solution(s) of which give an inverse function.
elitewarr
Apr26-10, 08:32 AM
Ahh!!! Why didn't I think of that. Thanks!
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