Example 1
Find the inverse function, its domain and range, of the function given by
f(x) = 3√(2 x - 1)
Solution to example 1
-
The domain D and range R of the given function are given by:
D: (- ∞ , + ∞) and R: (- ∞ , + ∞)
-
In order to find the inverse, we first write the function as an equation as follows
y = 3√(2 x - 1)
-
Then solve it starting by cubing both sides
y 3 = ( 3√(2 x - 1) ) 3
-
Simplify and solve for x
y 3 = 2 x - 1
x = (1 / 2)(y 3 + 1)
-
Change x into y and y into x to obtain the inverse function.
f -1(x) = y = (1 / 2)(x3 + 1)
The domain and range of the inverse function are respectively the range and domain of the given function f. Hence
domain and range of f -1 are given by: domain: (- ∞ , + ∞) range: (- ∞ , + ∞)
Example 2
Find the inverse, its domain and range, of the function given by
f(x) = 3√(x / 3 - 1) - 4
Solution to example 2
-
The domain and range of the given function are given by
D: (- ∞ , + ∞) and R: (- ∞ , + ∞)
-
Write the given function as an equation.
y = 3√(x / 3 - 1) - 4
which can be writeen as: 3√(x / 3 - 1) = 4 + y
-
Cube both sides of the above equation and simplify.
( 3√(x / 3 - 1) ) 3 = (4 + y) 3
(x / 3 - 1) = (4 + y) 3
-
Solve for x.
x / 3 = (4 + y) 3 + 1
-
Which gives
x = 3 ( (4 + y) 3 + 1 ) = 3 (4 + y) 3 + 3
-
Interchange x and y to obtain the inverse function
f -1(x) = y = 3 (4 + x) 3 + 3
The domain and range of the inverse function are respectively the range and domain of the given function f. Hence
domain and range of f -1 are given by: domain: (- ∞ , + ∞) range: (- ∞ , + ∞)
Example 3
Find the inverse, its domain and range, of the function given by
f(x) = 3√(4 x2 + 8) + 2 ; x ≥ 0
Solution to example 3
-
Although the formula of the given function indicates an even function (not a one to one),
the explicit given domian (x ≥ 0) make the given function a one to one.
Domain of f: [ 0 ; ∞) , given.
Range: For x in the domain [ 0 ; ∞) , the range of 4 x2 + 8 is given by [8,+∞)
which gives a range of 3√(4 x2 + 8) in the interval [3√8 , +∞) or [2 , +∞) and finally, taking into account the shift +2, the range for the given function is given by [4 , +∞)
-
To find the inverse, we first write the given function f as an equation
y = 3√(4 x2 + 8) + 2
-
Which may be written as
y - 2 = 3√(4 x2 + 8)
-
Cube both side and simplify
(y - 2)3 = ( 3√(4 x2 + 8) )3
(y - 2)3 = 4 x2 + 8
-
Solve for x
x2 = (1 / 4) ( (y - 2)3 - 8 )
x = ~+mn~ (1 / 4) √ ( (y - 2)3 - 8 )
-
The domain of f is given by [ 0 ; ∞) and therefore x is selected to be given by
x = (1 / 4) √ ( (y - 2)3 - 8 )
-
Interchange x and y to obtain the inverse function
f -1(x) = y = (1 / 4) √ ( (x - 2)3 - 8 )
The domain and range of f -1 are respectively given by the range and domain of f found above
Domain of f -1 is given by: [4 , + ∞) and its range is given by: [0 , + ∞)
Exercises
Find the inverse, its domain and range, of the functions given below
1. f(x) = - 3√(- x + 3)
2. g(x) = 3√(x2 + 2x + 4) ; x ≥ - 1 (Hint: start by finding the vertex of x2 + 2x + 4 to understand the given domain x ≥ - 1)
Answers to above exercises
1. f -1(x) = x3 + 3 ; domain: (-∞ , ∞) Range: (- ∞ , ∞)
2. g -1(x) = -1+√(x3 - 3) ; domain: [3√3 , +∞) Range: [-1 , +∞)
More links and references related to the inverse functions.
Find the Inverse of a Cubic Function - Step by Step Worksheet.
Find the Inverse of a Cubic Function.
Find the Inverse Functions - Calculator
Applications and Use of the Inverse Functions
Find the Inverse Function - Questions
Find the Inverse Function (1) - Tutorial.
Definition of the Inverse Function - Interactive Tutorial
Find Inverse Of Cube Root Functions.
Find Inverse Of Square Root Functions.
Find Inverse Of Logarithmic Functions.
Find Inverse Of Exponential Functions.
|