Undergrad If y is a function of x, then x is also function of y?

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If y is a function of x, it does not necessarily mean that x is a function of y unless the function is invertible. The discussion explores the implications of integrating equations involving y and x, highlighting that the relationship can change depending on the context. A key point made is that for y = f(x) to imply x = f^{-1}(y), the function must be one-to-one. An example provided illustrates that y = x^2 is a function of x, but x is not a function of y due to the lack of invertibility. The conclusion emphasizes that the relationship between the two variables is contingent on the nature of their functions.
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So then if you take the integral of y(x) dy = x dy, you get y^2 = xy.

But if x is a function of y, that means the equation is y(x)dy = x(y) dy, which gives you y^2 = X(y), where X is the integral of of x(y) dy?
 
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if ##y=f(x)##, x is a function of y, i.e. ##x=f^{-1}(y)##, only if ##f## is invertible. Look up inverse function theorem, for what you need.
 
yosimba2000 said:
So then if you take the integral of y(x) dy = x dy, you get y^2 = xy.
This appears to be an intermediate step in solving a differential equation.

Starting with y dy = x dy, if you integrate the left side you get y2 + a constant, but you can't integrate the right side. Is x dy a typo? Should it be x dx? If so, and we start with y dy = x dx, integrating both sides yields y2 = x2 + C.
yosimba2000 said:
But if x is a function of y, that means the equation is y(x)dy = x(y) dy, which gives you y^2 = X(y), where X is the integral of of x(y) dy?
 
The short answer to your thread title -- "If y is a function of x, then x is also function of y?" -- is "Not necessarily."

For example, if y = f(x) = x2, then y is a function of x, but x is not a function of y. As already stated, each variable is a function of the other only if both functions are one-to-one.
 

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