How do I find the inverse of a function with a given input?

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Homework Statement


Find (f^-1) (a) if f(x) = sqrt of (x^3+x^2+x+2) and a = 4?


Homework Equations


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


The Attempt at a Solution


Take Derivative
1/2(x^3+x^2+x+2)^-(1/2)
do I need to do chain rule?
I am lost
this problem can help me pass the class
please help
 
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This problem has nothing to do with derivatives or the chain rule or reciprocals.
x = f^{-1}(a) \iff a = f(x)

So basically, what you need to do is solve the equation 4 = \sqrt{x^3 + x^2 + x + 2}

BTW, this doesn't make any sense at all: (f ^-1) (a) = 1/ f ^1( f ^-1(a))
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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