# 1.4 Inverse functions  (Page 5/11)

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## The maximum value of a function

In many areas of science, engineering, and mathematics, it is useful to know the maximum value a function can obtain, even if we don’t know its exact value at a given instant. For instance, if we have a function describing the strength of a roof beam, we would want to know the maximum weight the beam can support without breaking. If we have a function that describes the speed of a train, we would want to know its maximum speed before it jumps off the rails. Safe design often depends on knowing maximum values.

This project describes a simple example of a function with a maximum value that depends on two equation coefficients. We will see that maximum values can depend on several factors other than the independent variable x .

1. Consider the graph in [link] of the function $y=\text{sin}\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}x+\text{cos}\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}x.$ Describe its overall shape. Is it periodic? How do you know?

Using a graphing calculator or other graphing device, estimate the $x$ - and $y$ -values of the maximum point for the graph (the first such point where x >0). It may be helpful to express the $x$ -value as a multiple of π.
2. Now consider other graphs of the form $y=A\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}\text{sin}\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}x+B\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}\text{cos}\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}x$ for various values of A and B . Sketch the graph when A = 2 and B = 1, and find the $x$ - and y -values for the maximum point. (Remember to express the x -value as a multiple of π, if possible.) Has it moved?
3. Repeat for A = 1, B = 2. Is there any relationship to what you found in part (2)?
4. Complete the following table, adding a few choices of your own for A and B :
A B x y A B x y
0 1 $\sqrt{3}$ 1
1 0 1 $\sqrt{3}$
1 1 12 5
1 2 5 12
2 1
2 2
3 4
4 3
5. Try to figure out the formula for the y -values.
6. The formula for the $x$ -values is a little harder. The most helpful points from the table are $\left(1,1\right),\left(1,\sqrt{3}\right),\left(\sqrt{3},1\right).$ ( Hint : Consider inverse trigonometric functions.)
7. If you found formulas for parts (5) and (6), show that they work together. That is, substitute the $x$ -value formula you found into $y=A\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}\text{sin}\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}x+B\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}\text{cos}\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}x$ and simplify it to arrive at the $y$ -value formula you found.

## Key concepts

• For a function to have an inverse, the function must be one-to-one. Given the graph of a function, we can determine whether the function is one-to-one by using the horizontal line test.
• If a function is not one-to-one, we can restrict the domain to a smaller domain where the function is one-to-one and then define the inverse of the function on the smaller domain.
• For a function $f$ and its inverse ${f}^{-1},f\left({f}^{-1}\left(x\right)\right)=x$ for all $x$ in the domain of ${f}^{-1}$ and ${f}^{-1}\left(f\left(x\right)\right)=x$ for all $x$ in the domain of $f.$
• Since the trigonometric functions are periodic, we need to restrict their domains to define the inverse trigonometric functions.
• The graph of a function $f$ and its inverse ${f}^{-1}$ are symmetric about the line $y=x.$

## Key equations

• Inverse functions
${f}^{-1}\left(f\left(x\right)\right)=x\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{for all}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}x\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{in}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}D,\text{and}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}f\left({f}^{-1}\left(y\right)\right)=y\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{for all}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}y\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{in}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}R.$

For the following exercises, use the horizontal line test to determine whether each of the given graphs is one-to-one.

Not one-to-one

Not one-to-one

One-to-one

For the following exercises, a. find the inverse function, and b. find the domain and range of the inverse function.

$f\left(x\right)={x}^{2}-4,x\ge 0$

a. ${f}^{-1}\left(x\right)=\sqrt{x+4}$ b. Domain $\text{:}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}x\ge -4,\text{range}\text{:}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}y\ge 0$

questions solve y=sin x
Solve it for what?
Tim
you have to apply the function arcsin in both sides and you get arcsin y = acrsin (sin x) the the function arcsin and function sin cancel each other so the ecuation becomes arcsin y = x you can also write x= arcsin y
Ioana
what is the question ? what is the answer?
Suman
there is an equation that should be solve for x
Ioana
ok solve it
Suman
are you saying y is of sin(x) y=sin(x)/sin of both sides to solve for x... therefore y/sin =x
Tyron
or solve for sin(x) via the unit circle
Tyron
what is unit circle
Suman
a circle whose radius is 1.
Darnell
the unit circle is covered in pre cal...and or trigonometry. it is the multipcation table of upper level mathematics.
Tyron
what is function?
A set of points in which every x value (domain) corresponds to exactly one y value (range)
Tim
what is lim (x,y)~(0,0) (x/y)
limited of x,y at 0,0 is nt defined
Alswell
But using L'Hopitals rule is x=1 is defined
Alswell
Could U explain better boss?
emmanuel
value of (x/y) as (x,y) tends to (0,0) also whats the value of (x+y)/(x^2+y^2) as (x,y) tends to (0,0)
NIKI
can we apply l hospitals rule for function of two variables
NIKI
why n does not equal -1
Andrew
I agree with Andrew
Bg
f (x) = a is a function. It's a constant function.
proof the formula integration of udv=uv-integration of vdu.?
Find derivative (2x^3+6xy-4y^2)^2
no x=2 is not a function, as there is nothing that's changing.
are you sure sir? please make it sure and reply please. thanks a lot sir I'm grateful.
The
i mean can we replace the roles of x and y and call x=2 as function
The
if x =y and x = 800 what is y
y=800
800
Bg
how do u factor the numerator?
Nonsense, you factor numbers
Antonio
You can factorize the numerator of an expression. What's the problem there? here's an example. f(x)=((x^2)-(y^2))/2 Then numerator is x squared minus y squared. It's factorized as (x+y)(x-y). so the overall function becomes : ((x+y)(x-y))/2
The
The problem is the question, is not a problem where it is, but what it is
Antonio
I think you should first know the basics man: PS
Vishal
Yes, what factorization is
Antonio
Antonio bro is x=2 a function?
The
Yes, and no.... Its a function if for every x, y=2.... If not is a single value constant
Antonio
you could define it as a constant function if you wanted where a function of "y" defines x f(y) = 2 no real use to doing that though
zach
Why y, if domain its usually defined as x, bro, so you creates confusion
Antonio
Its f(x) =y=2 for every x
Antonio
Yes but he said could you put x = 2 as a function you put y = 2 as a function
zach
F(y) in this case is not a function since for every value of y you have not a single point but many ones, so there is not f(y)
Antonio
x = 2 defined as a function of f(y) = 2 says for every y x will equal 2 this silly creates a vertical line and is equivalent to saying x = 2 just in a function notation as the user above asked. you put f(x) = 2 this means for every x y is 2 this creates a horizontal line and is not equivalent
zach
The said x=2 and that 2 is y
Antonio
that 2 is not y, y is a variable 2 is a constant
zach
So 2 is defined as f(x) =2
Antonio
No y its constant =2
Antonio
what variable does that function define
zach
the function f(x) =2 takes every input of x within it's domain and gives 2 if for instance f:x -> y then for every x, y =2 giving a horizontal line this is NOT equivalent to the expression x = 2
zach
Yes true, y=2 its a constant, so a line parallel to y axix as function of y
Antonio
Sorry x=2
Antonio
And you are right, but os not a function of x, its a function of y
Antonio
As function of x is meaningless, is not a finction
Antonio
yeah you mean what I said in my first post, smh
zach
I mean (0xY) +x = 2 so y can be as you want, the result its 2 every time
Antonio
OK you can call this "function" on a set {2}, but its a single value function, a constant
Antonio
well as long as you got there eventually
zach
2x^3+6xy-4y^2)^2 solve this
femi
moe
volume between cone z=√(x^2+y^2) and plane z=2
Fatima
It's an integral easy
Antonio
V=1/3 h π (R^2+r2+ r*R(
Antonio
How do we find the horizontal asymptote of a function using limits?
Easy lim f(x) x-->~ =c
Antonio
solutions for combining functions
what is a function? f(x)
one that is one to one, one that passes the vertical line test
Andrew
It's a law f() that to every point (x) on the Domain gives a single point in the codomain f(x)=y
Antonio
is x=2 a function?
The
restate the problem. and I will look. ty
is x=2 a function?
The