Inverse function of a parabola

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the inverse function of a parabola defined by g(x) = 1/3(x-2)^2 - 3, which is increasing and one-to-one on the interval [2, 5]. A participant initially attempts to derive the inverse but makes errors in their calculations, leading to multiple values for x. Another user clarifies the correct approach by rearranging the equation and emphasizes that the inverse must yield a single value for each input. The correct inverse function is determined to be g^-1(x) = 2 + sqrt(3(x + 3)). The conversation highlights the importance of careful algebraic manipulation when solving for inverse functions.
fatou123
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
from a graph of a function ( i obtained the graphg by doing a translation and y-scaling) g(x)= 1/3(x-2)^2 -3 b (x in [2:5]) i can see that g is increasing and so it is a one-one function and an image set is [-3;0]. so therefore the function g has an universe function g^-1 .

so i can find the rule of g^-1 by solving this equations:

y=g(x)=1/3 (x-2)^2 -3

to obtain x in term of y

i have y=1/3(x-2)^2 -3 that is x= +or-3sqrt-1/9 - 1/3y is this right ?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
No, the whole point of being "one-to-one" is that you have one value, not two.
Unfortunately, you didn't show HOW you solve for x so I can't comment but that surely does not look right! (It's hard to be sure since you don't use parentheses to show what you really mean.) You are correct that when x= 2, y= -3. If you take y= -3 in the formula you give, do you get x= 0? When you take x= 5, y= g(5)= 0. When you take y= 0 in your equation, do you get x= 5?

If y= (1/3)(x-2)^2- 3 with x between 2 and 5, then y+ 3= (1/3)(x-2)^2, (x-2)^2= 3(y+3) x-2= sqrt(3(y+3)) and finally x= 2+ sqrt(3(y+3)). The PLUS is used rather than the MINUS because x must be larger than 2. Finally, don't forget to write the solution itself:
g-1(x)= 2+ sqrt(3(x+3)).
 
thank hallsofivy you have just confirm what i though that theyr were something wrong in my result =.

i tackle this equation by comoleting thr squares of a quadratic equations,and i think this is where i got confused by the two result i was looking for! lol
the domain of g(x) is given to us as x in [2;5] so i can't really argue this.

i solved the g^-1 by rearranging g(x)

y=1/3(x-2)^2 -3 , 1/3(x-2)^2=-3-y , (x-2)^2= -1/9-1/3y, x-3= SQRT-1/9-1/3y hence
x=3 SQRT-1/3-1/3y

thank you again i undersrtood were i got wrong in this it was quite obvious really lol
 
fatou123 said:
thank hallsofivy you have just confirm what i though that theyr were something wrong in my result =.

i tackle this equation by comoleting thr squares of a quadratic equations,and i think this is where i got confused by the two result i was looking for! lol
the domain of g(x) is given to us as x in [2;5] so i can't really argue this.

i solved the g^-1 by rearranging g(x)

y=1/3(x-2)^2 -3 , 1/3(x-2)^2=-3-y
This first step is incorrect.

, (x-2)^2= -1/9-1/3y, x-3= SQRT-1/9-1/3y hence
x=3 SQRT-1/3-1/3y

thank you again i undersrtood were i got wrong in this it was quite obvious really lol
 
I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...
Back
Top