SOLUTION: If f(x) = x+5/ 2 , then f-1(x) =

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Question 1155728: If f(x) = x+5/ 2 , then f-1(x) =
Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


The function "f(x) = x+5/2" = f%28x%29+=+x%2B5%2F2 is not very interesting; so I am going to assume that the function is supposed to be "f(x) = (x+5)/2" = f%28x%29+=+%28x%2B5%29%2F2

The standard method for finding the inverse of a function is to switch the x and y in the given function and solve for the new y:

Switch: y+=+%28x%2B5%29%2F2 --> x+=+%28y%2B5%29%2F2

Now solve for y.

x+=+%28y%2B5%29%2F2
2x+=+y%2B5
2x-5+=+y
y+=+2x-5

ANSWER: f^(-1)(x) = 2x-5

For many simple functions, it is easier to find the inverse by using the fact that the inverse function "gets you back where you started".

To get you back where you started, the inverse function has to performs the opposite operations, in the opposite order, compared to the original function.

The given function does the following to the input value:
(1) add 5;
(2) divide by 2

The inverse function has to...
(1) multiply by 2;
(2) subtract 5

f^(-1)(x) = 2x-5

Same answer with much less work...