Finding f^-1'(2): Solving a Homework Equation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joe_K
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
To find f^-1'(2) for the function f(x) = x^3 + 3sin(x) + 2cos(x), start by determining f^-1(2) through inspection, as the function is difficult to invert analytically. The relevant equation is (f^-1)'(a) = 1 / f'(f^-1(a)), which requires calculating f'(x) after finding the appropriate x that satisfies f(x) = 2. Suggestions include evaluating f at simple values to identify where it equals 2, and then using the derivative f'(x) = 3x^2 + 3cos(x) - 2sin(x) to compute the final result. This approach simplifies the problem and makes it more manageable.
Joe_K
Messages
32
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



f(x)= x^3 + 3sinx + 2cosx, a=2


Homework Equations



(f^-1)'(a)= 1 / f'(f^-1(a))

The Attempt at a Solution



I am lost as to where to start on this problem. Can someone get me going in the right direction? Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A good place to start would be to try to find f^(-1)(2). Your expression for f is hard to invert in general but you can find f^(-1)(2) by guessing.
 
It is not possible to solve for the inverse analytically (as far as I know at least), so think about what value of x would yield f(x)=2. In other words, compute f^{-1}(2) by inspection. This is not as hard as it seems because you've been given some trig functions that are easy to deal with for certain values of x. Then, it is trivial as it is simply plug and chug.
 
Joe_K said:

Homework Statement



f(x)= x^3 + 3sinx + 2cosx, a=2

Homework Equations



(f^-1)'(a)= 1 / f'(f^-1(a))

The Attempt at a Solution



I am lost as to where to start on this problem. Can someone get me going in the right direction? Thanks in advance.
What does your Relevant Equation, (f -1)'(a)= 1 / f '(f -1(a)) tell you to do ??

Finding f -1(a) is like solving your previous problem.

Then find f '(x), and as lineintegral1 said, "plug & chug".
 
Joe_K said:

Homework Statement



f(x)= x^3 + 3sinx + 2cosx, a=2


Homework Equations



(f^-1)'(a)= 1 / f'(f^-1(a))

The Attempt at a Solution



I am lost as to where to start on this problem. Can someone get me going in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

That notation is just making it confusing and harder to deal with. May I suggest looking at it more intuitively to make it easier to deal with.

Let:

z=x^3+3\sin(x)+2\cos(x)

and therefore:

z_0=x_0^3+3\sin(x_0)+2\cos(x_0)

and therefore we can write:

\frac{dx}{dz}\biggr|_{z=z_0}=\displaystyle\frac{1}{\frac{dz}{dx}\biggr|_{x=x_0}}

Ok, so now at that point, just calculate a few that you already know just to get the feel of it. Say (approx):

4.605=(1)^3+3\sin(1)+2\cos(1)

so that I can write:


\frac{dx}{dz}\biggr|_{z=4.605}=\displaystyle\frac{1}{\frac{dz}{dx}\biggr|_{x=1}}=\frac{1}{3x^2+3\cos(x)-2\sin(x)}\biggr|_{x=1}=0.340

Now do a few more say let x=-2,-1,0,2 and see what happens.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K