Inverse and original function relationships

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationships between a function and its inverse, particularly focusing on derivatives and integrals. Participants explore the application of the chain rule and integration techniques in this context, as well as the implications for higher-order derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about unique relationships between a function and its inverse, specifically regarding derivatives and integrals.
  • There is mention of using the chain rule on the composition of a function and its inverse to derive relationships between their derivatives.
  • One participant expresses confusion over the derivation of the formula for the derivative of the inverse function, referencing a Wikipedia article.
  • Another participant suggests differentiating the composition of the function and its inverse as a potentially faster method to derive results.
  • Concerns are raised about understanding Leibniz notation and its implications for higher-order derivatives.
  • Participants discuss the expression involving the integral of the inverse function and its derivative, questioning how the results are derived using the chain rule.
  • One participant seeks clarification on how higher-order derivatives are obtained through the application of the chain rule.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the derivations and applications discussed. Multiple competing views and methods are presented, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the clarity of certain mathematical expressions and their implications.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the application of the chain rule and the simplification of higher-order derivatives. There are references to specific mathematical expressions and articles that are not fully resolved within the discussion.

MathewsMD
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Just curious:

Are there any unique relationships b/w the inverse of a function and the original, specifically when considering the derivative and integral?
 
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wiki for derivative and Wolfram for the integral. Is that what you're looking for?
 
Use the chain rule on [itex]f(f^{-1}(x))[/itex] to get the first and "integration by parts" to get the second.
 
Thank you for the link.
Just wondering...if you have an original function ##f(x) = y## and the inverse, ##g(y) = x = f^{-1} (f(x))##.

Then differentiating ##g(y)## wrt to x you get:

## \frac {d(g(y)}{dy} \frac {dy}{dx} = g'(y)y' = g'(f(x))f'(x) = f'^{-1} (f(x)) f'(x)##

I'm just slightly confused on how the article derived ## f'^{-1} (x) = \frac {1}{f' ( f^{-1} (x))}## since all it says is that chain rule is used, specifically here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse_functions_and_differentiation#Additional_properties.

Also, just a little lower in the article, it states:

##\frac {d^2y}{dx^2} . \frac {dx}{dy} + \frac {d^2x}{dy^2} . (\frac {dy}{dx})^2 = 0##

All I can really simplify this to by simple manipulation is:

##\frac {(d^2y)(dy^2)}{(d^2x)(dx^2)} = -(\frac {dy}{dx})^3##

This isn't really helpful and I don't exactly know what else to do from here. Any insight on taking a different approach or how to move on would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I'm just not applying chain rule correctly, but any help would be great!
 
Last edited:
MathewsMD said:
Thank you for the link.



Just wondering...if you have an original function ##f(x) = y## and the inverse, ##g(y) = x = f^{-1} (f(x))##.

Then differentiating ##g(y)## wrt to x you get:

## \frac {d(g(y)}{dy} \frac {dy}{dx} = g'(y)y' = g'(f(x))f'(x) = f'^{-1} (f(x)) f'(x)##

I'm just slightly confused on how the article derived ## f'^{-1} (x) = \frac {1}{f' ( f^{-1} (x))}## since all it says is that chain rule is used, specifically here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse_functions_and_differentiation#Additional_properties.

Just use ##g(f(x))=x## and differentiate. I think it actually works faster if you use ##f(g(x))=x## like HoI, but both work fine.
 
DrewD said:
Just use ##g(f(x))=x## and differentiate. I think it actually works faster if you use ##f(g(x))=x## like HoI, but both work fine.

Hmm...I must say that my understanding of Liebniz notation is not too strong.

For example, what exactly does this represent (if ##y = f(x)##):

##\frac {d^3y}{dx^3}##

Is it simply ##\frac {1}{f'''^{-1}(x)}## ?
Also, is ## \frac {d^2y}{dx^2} . \frac {dx}{dy} + \frac {d^2x}{dy^2} . (\frac {dy}{dx})^3 = 0 ##

equal to ## \frac {1}{f''^{-1}(x)}. \frac {1}{f^{-1}} + \frac {1}{f''(x)}. (f'(x))^3 = 0 ##

Besides rewriting it, I am still a little confused on how this was simplified in the next steps in the link.
 
Last edited:
I am also going through the expression:

##f^{-1}(x) = \int \frac {1}{f'(f^{-1}(x))}dx + c##

By taking the derivative of both sides, what I simplify this to is:

##f'^{-1}(x) = \frac {1}{f'(f^{-1}(x))}##

I just don't exactly see how this result was derived using Chain Rule in the link.
 

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