Challenge question to the community - - Determine the inverse function of

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the inverse function of f(x) = (1 - √x) / (1 + √x). Participants explore the properties of the function, including its one-to-one nature and the implications of domain restrictions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that finding √x is trivial and suggest squaring it afterward.
  • Multiple participants propose the inverse function as f^{-1}(x) = (1-x)² / (1+x)², with conditions on the domain.
  • There are discussions about the function not being one-to-one unless restricted to x >= 0.
  • One participant mentions the need to check whether the proposed inverse satisfies the requirements of an inverse function.
  • Another participant highlights the importance of understanding the range of f(x) to determine the domain of the inverse function.
  • One participant suggests using identities for derivatives of inverse functions and generating a Taylor series for further exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the one-to-one nature of the original function and the correctness of the proposed inverse. There is no consensus on the restrictions necessary for the inverse function to hold.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the range of f(x) and its implications for the inverse function. Some participants note potential issues with singularities and domain restrictions.

checkitagain
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[itex]f(x) \ = \ \dfrac{1 - \sqrt{x}}{1 + \sqrt{x}}[/itex][itex]Edit: \ \ I \ sent \ a \ PM \ to \ a \ mentor.[/itex]
 
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[STRIKE]Can you PM the solution to one of the mentors please?? This way we can verify that it's a challenge question and not a disguised homework problem.[/STRIKE]

OK, this is verified.
 
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Finding √x is trivial. Just square it afterward.
 
Thanks for posting this. The inverse of f(x) is:

[tex] <br /> f^{-1}(x) = \frac{(1-x)^{2}}{(1+x)^{2}}<br /> [/tex]

and x>=0 to prevent singularities

If you'd like to see my work, then just ask. It's easy to show that f(f^1(x)) = x.

Edit:

But I forgot to check whether f^-1 satisfied the requirements of inverse, I'll repost later, as I made a mistake :(
 
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mathman said:
Finding √x is trivial.
[tex]\text{I don't know what you mean by/from particulars that you didn't type.}[/tex]


Just square it afterward.
[tex]\text{And what about any possible restrictions on a domain?}[/tex]
 
DivisionByZro said:
Thanks for posting this. I didn't see the challenge here though, it's really elementary algebra. The inverse of f(x) is:

[tex] <br /> f^{-1}(x) = \frac{(1-x)^{2}}{(1+x)^{2}}<br /> [/tex]

If you'd like to see my work, then just ask. It's easy to show that f(f^1(x)) = x.

Hint: What you have typed is not a one-to-one function.
 
checkitagain said:
Hint: What you have typed is not a one-to-one function.

If I restrict x>=0, then my inverse is correct (I think...for now..). So I would say for x>=0, f^-1 is

[tex] f^{-1}(x) = \frac{(1-x)^{2}}{(1+x)^{2}}<br /> [/tex]
 
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DivisionByZro said:
What you posted was not one-to-one either.
If I restrict x>=0, then my inverse is correct. So I would say for x>=0, f^-1 is

[tex] f^{-1}(x) = \frac{(1-x)^{2}}{(1+x)^{2}}<br /> [/tex]

Mine (meaning the original function) is one-to-one.

Recommendation:

Graph/sketch my function and see.
 
checkitagain said:
Mine (meaning the original function) is one-to-one.

Recommendation:

Graph/sketch my function and see.

Yeah I had made a slight typo, I looked at the graph of a completely different function. My answer stands,

[tex] <br /> f^{-1}(x) = \frac{(1-x)^{2}}{(1+x)^{2}}<br /> [/tex]

on x>=0 only.
 
  • #10
DivisionByZro said:
Yeah I had made a slight typo, I looked at the graph of a completely different function. My answer stands,

[tex] <br /> f^{-1}(x) = \frac{(1-x)^{2}}{(1+x)^{2}}<br /> [/tex]

on x>=0 only.


No to your restriction.


Hint: The range of f is the domain of f inverse, numerically speaking
(as when given in interval notation).


I must go away from the computer for a couple of hours starting now,
but I will check back for any updates.


--------------------------------------------------------


[itex]Edit: \ \ What \ is \ the \ range \ of \ f(x) \ ?[/itex]


[itex]2nd \ edit: \ \ \ I \ \ am \ \ agreeing \ \ with \ \ Curious3141,[/itex]

[itex]but \ \ I \ \ am \ \ stating \ \ it \ \ in \ \ this \ \ edit \ \ so \ \[/itex]

[itex]that \ \ Curious3141's \ \ post \ \ will \ \ show \ \ the[/itex]

[itex]answer \ \ more \ \ recently \ \ than \ \ my \ \ own \ \ recent \ \ post.[/itex]
 
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  • #11
The inverse is:


[tex] <br /> f^{-1}(x) = \frac{(1-x)^{2}}{(1+x)^{2}}<br /> [/tex]

with a domain of (-1,1] and a range of [0,∞).
 
  • #12
Just for future reference for checkitagain and other interested readers, you can use identities for derivatives of inverse functions and generate a taylor series that corresponds to the inverse function.

The key thing to be aware of is if the derivative (of the original function) is zero which indicates a branch cut in the function which means that you have to treat each branch as an individual function in its own right (if it is to have an inverse)
 

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