Investigating Properties of Inverse Functions

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of inverse functions, specifically analyzing the function g(x) = 4(x-3)² + 1. The participants successfully completed parts a-d, which involved graphing the function and its inverse, determining intersection points, and defining the inverse equation as y = 3 ± √((x-1)/4). However, they encountered difficulty with part e, which questioned whether the inverse remains a function when the domain of g is restricted to {x | 2 ≤ x ≤ 5}. The conclusion is that the inverse is not a function due to the double-valued outputs for g(5), specifically y(5) = 2 and y(5) = 4.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quadratic functions and their graphs
  • Knowledge of inverse functions and their properties
  • Familiarity with function notation and evaluation
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic expressions, including square roots
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of function restrictions and their impact on inverses
  • Learn about the horizontal line test for determining if a function has an inverse
  • Explore the properties of quadratic functions and their inverses in detail
  • Practice solving inverse functions algebraically with various examples
USEFUL FOR

Students studying algebra, particularly those focusing on functions and their inverses, educators teaching quadratic functions, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of function properties in mathematics.

msimard8
Messages
58
Reaction score
0
Ok here is the question, there is parts a-e, i have a-d answered correctly, but am having trouble on e.

Q: A function g is g(x)=4(x-3)^2 + 1

a) Graph g and the inverse of g. (Already completed)

b) At what points do g and the inverse of g intersect. (completed)

c) Determine an equation that defines the inverse of g.
the answer is y=3 +/- (root of (x-1/4) )

d) State restrictions on the domain or range of g so that its inverse is a function.

i got x is greater or equal to 3 and x is less than or equal to 3


then finally

e) Suppose the domain of g is {x|2 < or equal to x < or equal to 5, XER}
Would the inverse be a function? Justify your answer.

Ok. The answers say the inverse is not a function because the

inverse of g (5) = 2 and
inverse of g (5) =4

i guess that makes sense because there is two y coordinates for that x. My question how do you algabraically solve that. Help would be appreciated. Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
msimard8 said:
Ok here is the question, there is parts a-e, i have a-d answered correctly, but am having trouble on e.

Q: A function g is g(x)=4(x-3)^2 + 1

a) Graph g and the inverse of g. (Already completed)

b) At what points do g and the inverse of g intersect. (completed)

c) Determine an equation that defines the inverse of g.
the answer is y=3 +/- (root of (x-1/4) )

d) State restrictions on the domain or range of g so that its inverse is a function.

i got x is greater or equal to 3 and x is less than or equal to 3


then finally

e) Suppose the domain of g is {x|2 < or equal to x < or equal to 5, XER}
Would the inverse be a function? Justify your answer.

Ok. The answers say the inverse is not a function because the

inverse of g (5) = 2 and
inverse of g (5) =4

i guess that makes sense because there is two y coordinates for that x. My question how do you algabraically solve that. Help would be appreciated. Thanks

Simple. Hopefully your inverse function was supposed to be:
[tex]y=3 \pm \sqrt{\frac{x-1}{4}}[/tex]

So using the + sign: y(5) = 3 + 1 = 4.
Using the - sign: y(5) = 3 -1 = 2.

Since we may use either sign, that means that y(5) is double valued, which violates the definition of a function.

-Dan
 
Last edited:
thanks

Thanks a lot Dan.

One question. Why are you using f(5). Why did you chose the number 5. Is it because it is the highest possible x coordinate.

Thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K