Inverse function in one dimension

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the conditions under which a function in one dimension may or may not have an inverse. Participants explore the implications of one-to-one functions, the definitions of inverses, and the role of specific functions and their properties in determining invertibility.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a function in one dimension can have no inverse, presenting a specific form of an inverse function involving a smooth function and a Fourier series.
  • Another participant asserts that a function must be one-to-one to have an inverse, suggesting that the coefficients of the function may influence this property.
  • Some participants note that functions like the sine function and x² are not strictly one-to-one but can have inverses defined on restricted domains where they are one-to-one.
  • It is mentioned that there exist continuous functions that are not one-to-one on any interval, implying that such functions cannot have a differentiable inverse at any point.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions necessary for a function to have an inverse. There is no consensus on whether certain functions can be considered invertible under specific conditions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of defining inverses for functions that are not one-to-one and the implications of continuity and differentiability on invertibility. Some assumptions regarding the nature of the functions and their coefficients remain unresolved.

zetafunction
Messages
371
Reaction score
0
can a function in ONE dimension have NO inverse ?? i mean

if given the inverse function f^{-1} (x) = g(x) + \sum_{k=-N}^{k=N}c_{k}exp(ixlogk)

the first function g(x) is an smooth function , the last Fourier series is a 'noise correction' t o this function g , N is a big but finite number (otherwise the OFurier series could diverge)

how could i use numerical methods to get f(x) ??

g(x) is always an INCREASING function.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If a function is not one-to-one, then it has no inverse. Whether yours is one-to-one probably depends on the coefficients.
 
however the sine function and x^2 are not strictly one to one but one can define an inverse
 
zetafunction said:
however the sine function and x^2 are not strictly one to one but one can define an inverse

But we can only define the inverses on domains for which the functions are 1 to 1.
 
zetafunction said:
can a function in ONE dimension have NO inverse ?? i mean

if given the inverse function f^{-1} (x) = g(x) + \sum_{k=-N}^{k=N}c_{k}exp(ixlogk)

the first function g(x) is an smooth function , the last Fourier series is a 'noise correction' t o this function g , N is a big but finite number (otherwise the OFurier series could diverge)

how could i use numerical methods to get f(x) ??

g(x) is always an INCREASING function.

there are continuous functions that are not one to one on any interval. Such functions can not be differentiable at any point.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
10K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K