Chapter 3: Problem 71
Find the inverse of \(f(x)=\frac{2 x}{x+3} \cdot[3.1]\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The inverse of the function \(f(x)=\frac{2x}{x+3}\) is \(f^{-1}(x)=-\frac{3x}{x-2}\).
Step by step solution
01
Swap \(x\) and \(y\)
Swap \(x\) and \(f(x)\), so the function \(f(x)=\frac{2x}{x+3}\) becomes \(x=\frac{2y}{y+3}\)
02
Cross-multiply
Cross-multiply to resolve the fraction, giving \(x(y+3)=2y\).
03
Expansion
Expand the left-hand side to obtain \(xy+3x=2y\).
04
Rearrange terms
Rearrange the equation to have only \(y\) terms on one side: \(xy-2y=-3x\).
05
Factor out \(y\)
Factor out the common term \(y\) on the left side of equation to get \(y(x-2)=-3x\).
06
Solve for \(y\)
Now we can solve the equation for \(y\), that is the inverse of the function \(f(x)\), as follows: \(y=-\frac{3x}{x-2}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cross-Multiplication
Cross-multiplication is a technique used to eliminate fractions from an equation by multiplying each term in a fraction by the denominator of the opposite fraction. In the given exercise, we have an equation \[ x = \frac{2y}{y+3} \]where cross-multiplication is applied.
- First, identify the fractions, which are \( x \) on one side and \( \frac{2y}{y+3} \) on the other side.
- Multiply \( x \) by \( y+3 \) and set it equal to \( 2y \times 1 \).
- This leads to the equation \( x(y+3) = 2y \) after cross-multiplying.
Factoring
Factoring is the process of breaking down an expression into simpler components or factors that, when multiplied together, give back the original expression. After cross-multiplication and expanding the equation in the given exercise, we reached the step:
\[ xy + 3x = 2y \]which needs further simplification.
\[ xy + 3x = 2y \]which needs further simplification.
- The next step involves rearranging terms so that all terms involving the variable \( y \) are on one side. This becomes \( xy - 2y = -3x \).
- To isolate \( y \), we factor it out from both terms on the left-hand side.
- This results in: \( y(x - 2) = -3x \).
Equation Solving
Equation solving is a core skill in algebra, involving steps to find the value of unknown variables. In solving equations for inverse functions, we aim to isolate the dependent variable, typically represented by \( y \) here.
- The equation from the last factoring step was \( y(x - 2) = -3x \).
- To solve for \( y \), divide both sides by \( x - 2 \), resulting in \( y = -\frac{3x}{x-2} \).
- At this stage, we have found the inverse function.
Function Transformation
Function transformation occurs when a function is altered into its inverse or shifted in some manner across a graph. Here, we are transforming the original function \( f(x) = \frac{2x}{x+3} \) into its inverse.
- The transformation involves swapping the roles of \( x \) and \( y \), making it possible to find the inverse.
- The inverse function, in this case, becomes \( y = -\frac{3x}{x-2} \) or equivalently \( f^{-1}(x) = -\frac{3x}{x-2} \).
- This transformation highlights the symmetry between a function and its inverse graphically over the line \( y = x \).