How Do You Calculate Inverse Functions and Their Properties?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties and calculations of inverse functions, specifically focusing on the function defined by \( f(x) = x^2 \) and its behavior over the sets \( C = \{ x \in \mathbb{R} : x \geq 1 \} \) and \( D = \mathbb{R}^+ \). Participants are tasked with determining \( f(C) \), \( f^{-1}(C) \), \( f^{-1}(D) \), and \( f^{-1}(\{1\}) \). There are concerns regarding the definitions and implications of these inverse functions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Exploratory

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express confusion about the definitions of \( f^{-1}(C) \) and whether it should exclude elements of \( C \). There are questions about the exclusion of certain values in \( f^{-1}(D) \) and the inclusion of all positive reals. The reasoning behind the results for \( f^{-1}(\{1\}) \) is discussed, with some participants attempting to clarify the pre-image concept.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants actively questioning the definitions and implications of the inverse functions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the pre-image of set \( C \), but there is no consensus on the interpretations of the inverse functions or the specific values included in the sets.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of inverse functions and their properties, particularly in relation to the specified sets \( C \) and \( D \). There is an emphasis on understanding how the definitions apply to real numbers and the implications of those definitions on the calculations being discussed.

knowLittle
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Homework Statement


Let ## C= \{ x \in R : x \geq 1 \} ## and ## D = R^+ ##
For each f defined below, determine ## f(C), f^{-1}(C), f^{-1}(D), f^{-1} (\{1\}) ##

a.) ## f: R -> R ## is defined by ## f(x) =x^2##
I have problems with the definitions

The Attempt at a Solution



a.)
## f(C)= { 1 , 4, 9, 16, ...} ## according to the definitions of x in C, x belongs to reals and it's greater or equal to 1. Then, 2 should be in f(C), but it's not. However, in the solutions I see this.

##f(C)= C, f^{-1}(C)=C \cup \{x \in R: -x \in C\} , f^{-1}(D) = R - \{0\} , f^{-1}(\{1\})= \{1, -1\}##

-----
About , ## f^{-1} (C) ## should we exclude C, since it is the inverse of this? How do they find this?
About the inverse of f(D), why do they exclude only 0, shouldn't they exclude all positive Reals?
The only one I understand is ## f^{-1} (\{1\}) = \{1, -1\} ## :/

The last one is true since we could do this:

f(x)= y =x^2
change vars.

## f^{-1} (x) =x = f(x)^2 ##
Then, x can be -1 or 1
 
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knowLittle said:

Homework Statement


Let ## C= \{ x \in R : x \geq 1 \} ## and ## D = R^+ ##
For each f defined below, determine ## f(C), f^{-1}(C), f^{-1}(D), f^{-1} (\{1\}) ##

I have problems with the definitions

The Attempt at a Solution



a.)
## f(C)= { 1 , 4, 9, 16, ...} ## according to the definitions of x in C, x belongs to reals and it's greater or equal to 1. Then, 2 should be in f(C), but it's not. However, in the solutions I see this.

##f(C)= C, f^{-1}(C)=C \cup \{x \in R: -x \in C\} , f^{-1}(D) = R - \{0\} , f^{-1}(\{1\})= \{1, -1\}##

-----
About , ## f^{-1} (C) ## should we exclude C, since it is the inverse of this? How do they find this?
About the inverse of f(D), why do they exclude only 0, shouldn't they exclude all positive Reals?
The only one I understand is ## f^{-1} (\{1\}) = \{1, -1\} ##

The last one is true since we could do this:

f(x)= y =x^2
change vars.

## f^{-1} (x) =x = f(x)^2 ##
Then, x can be -1 or 1

C isn't only integers {1,2,3,...}, C is all real numbers greater than or equal to 1. So that includes sqrt(2). f(sqrt(2))=2. So 2 is in f(C).
 
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Thank you, you are right.
How do I explain ## f^{-1} (C)## ? Why does it include all R+ too?
 
knowLittle said:
Thank you, you are right.
How do I explain ## f^{-1} (C)## ? Why does it include all R+ too?
What is the definition of ## f^{-1} (C)\ ?##


In more descriptive terms, it's the pre-image of set C .


So, what values of ##\ x\ ## will produce values of ##\ f(x)\ ## which are in C ?
 
knowLittle said:
Thank you, you are right.
How do I explain ## f^{-1} (C)## ? Why does it include all R+ too?
It doesn't. What is f(1/2)? Is that in C?
 

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