# Calculus help

sonya
calculus help please!

if f(x)= (2e^x -8)/(10e^x + 9)
then wat is f^(-1)(x)?

i first took the ln of both sides...

getting lny = ln (2e^x - 8)/(10e^x + 9)

then using one of the properties i get

lny = ln (2e^x - 8) - ln (10e^x + 9)

and from here i get stuck...how do i solve for x?? am i doing it a totally wrong way?? please help!

## Answers and Replies

Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Pretty much, yeah, you're doing it the wrong way.

Instead of starting right off with the ln (which doesn't really help, does it?) you might want to simplfy the problem a bit first.

Since y= (2ex- 8)/(10ex+9),
(10ex+ 9)y= 2ex- 8
10exy+ 9= 2ex-8

Now subtract 9 and 2ex from both sides of the equation:
10y ex- 2ex= -17 or

(10y- 2)ex= -17

Divide both sides by 10y- 2 to isolate the exponential:

ex= -17/(10y-2)= 17/(2- 10y)

FINALLY, take the ln of both sides:

x= ln(17/(2-10y)) so the inverse function is

f-1(x)= ln(17/(2-10x)) where defined.

sonya
Originally posted by HallsofIvy
Since y= (2ex- 8)/(10ex+9),
(10ex+ 9)y= 2ex- 8
10exy+ 9= 2ex-8

er...wat happened to the y? shouldn't it b 9y when u expand the y thru the brackets??

Last edited:
sonya
ne1??

KLscilevothma
y= (2e^x - 8)/(10e^x + 9)

(10e^x+ 9)y= 2e^x- 8

10e^xy + 9y = 2e^x - 8

10e^xy-2e^x = - (8 + 9y)

e^x = (9y + 8)/(2 - 10y)

Take ln on both sides
x = ln [(9y + 8)/(2 - 10y)]

so,
f-1(x) = ln[(9y + 8)/(2 - 10y)]

er...wat happened to the y? shouldn't it b 9y when u expand the y thru the brackets??
Yes, that should be 9y. HallsofIvy only made a careless mistake and the way I do this question is exactly the same as that of HallsofIvy.

Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Yes, that should be 9y. HallsofIvy only made a careless mistake

Well, yeah, I did that to see if you were paying attention.

You BELIEVE that, don't you?