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n0ya
Jun9-11, 10:37 AM
I have a 2D function f:

f(x,y) = a + bx + cy + dxy

what is the inverse of this function?

micromass
Jun9-11, 10:45 AM
Hi n0ya! :smile:

The function you mention will never have an inverse.

For example, if f(x,y)=2+x, then f cannot have an inverse since f(0,0)=2=f(0,1). Thus (0,0) and (0,1) are both being sent to 2. But then the inverse needs to send 2 to both (0,0) and (0,1), but this is impossible for a function.

In general, your function is one f:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow \mathbb{R}, it can have no (continuous) inverse since otherwise the plane would be homeomorphic to the line. And this cannot be.


If you had a function f:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^2 then you might have a continuous inverse. But even then this depends of the function f...

n0ya
Jun9-11, 10:55 AM
Thanks!