What Is g'(2) for the Function G = (1/f^-1)?

Geologist180
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Homework Statement


  1. Suppose that f has an inverse and f(-4)=2, f '(-4)=2/5. If G= (1/f-1) what is g '(2) ?
If it helps the answer is (-5/32)

Homework Equations


[/B]
f-1'(b)=1/(f')(a)

The Attempt at a Solution



Im not really sure how to start this problem. I am familiar with how to use the equation above to plug solve for "c" and then plug c into the derivative, so I assume it has something to do with that but I can't find any helpful resources on the web showing me how to do this specific type of problem.[/B]
 
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Geologist180 said:

Homework Statement


  1. Suppose that f has an inverse and f(-4)=2, f '(-4)=2/5. If G= (1/f-1) what is g '(2) ?
I suppose you mean G'(2)

If it helps the answer is (-5/32)

Homework Equations


[/B]
f-1'(b)=1/(f')(a)

The Attempt at a Solution



Im not really sure how to start this problem. I am familiar with how to use the equation above to plug solve for "c" and then plug c into the derivative, so I assume it has something to do with that but I can't find any helpful resources on the web showing me how to do this specific type of problem.[/B]

Start by showing us the calculation for G' using the chain rule.
 
LCKurtz said:
I suppose you mean G'(2)
Start by showing us the calculation for G' using the chain rule.

I believe the derivative of G would be -1/(f-1) 2
Is this correct?
 
No. You haven't used the chain rule on the definition of G.
 

Im confused how I am supposed to use the chain rule in the context of this question.
When I think about the chain rule, I think about more complicated functions and taking the derivative of the functions with respect to the outside of the brackets multiplied by the derivative of the inside of the brackets. I am having trouble seeing how to apply that here.
 
Geologist180 said:
Im confused how I am supposed to use the chain rule in the context of this question.
When I think about the chain rule, I think about more complicated functions and taking the derivative of the functions with respect to the outside of the brackets multiplied by the derivative of the inside of the brackets. I am having trouble seeing how to apply that here.
Isn't that exactly what you have:
$$
G(\cdot)=(f^{-1}(\cdot))^{-1}$$where you can replace the dot with whatever variable you want to call it, maybe ##y## if you call the original equation ##y=f(x)##. What is the derivative of the "inside"?

I know it is a bit confusing with one of the ##-1##'s being a negative exponent and the other an inverse function.
 
LCKurtz said:
Isn't that exactly what you have:
$$
G(\cdot)=(f^{-1}(\cdot))^{-1}$$where you can replace the dot with whatever variable you want to call it, maybe ##y## if you call the original equation ##y=f(x)##. What is the derivative of the "inside"?

I know it is a bit confusing with one of the ##-1##'s being a negative exponent and the other an inverse function.

I believe it would be: (substituted a star for the dot)

( - (f-1(*))-2) (d/dx (f-1(*)))

Am I following you correctly in this?
Thank you for your hep by the way
 
Geologist180 said:
I believe it would be: (substituted a star for the dot)

( - (f-1(*))-2) (d/dx (f-1(*)))

Am I following you correctly in this?
Thank you for your hep by the way
With the * that would be written ( - (f-1(*))-2) (d/d* (f-1(*))). Let's use ##y## and write it$$
G'(y)=-(f^{-1}(y))^{-2}\frac d {dy} f^{-1}(y)$$Now, remember your question is asking for ##G'(2)##. If you put that in you have$$
G'(2) =-(f^{-1}(2))^{-2}\frac d {dy} f^{-1}(2)$$So now you have to ask yourself: do I know ##f^{-1}(2)##? Do I know the derivative of the inverse function at ##2##? What do I know about derivatives of inverses versus derivatives of the original function?
 
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