Find the inverse of f(x) = 3x - 7.
Solution
Problem
Find the inverse of f(x) = 3x - 7.
Step 1: Replace f(x) with y.
y = 3x - 7
Step 2: Interchange x and y.
To find the inverse, switch the roles of the input and output:
x = 3y - 7
Step 3: Solve the equation for y.
Add 7 to both sides:
x + 7 = 3y
Divide both sides by 3:
y = (x + 7)/3
Step 4: Write the result using inverse-function notation.
f⁻¹(x) = (x + 7)/3
Step 5: Check the inverse using composition.
Substitute f⁻¹(x) into f:
f((x + 7)/3) = 3((x + 7)/3) - 7
Simplify:
f((x + 7)/3) = x + 7 - 7
f((x + 7)/3) = x
This confirms the inverse.
Therefore, f⁻¹(x) = (x + 7)/3.
Result
f⁻¹(x) = (x + 7)/3