What is the inverse function of f(x)=sqrt(8-x)?

2 Answers
Jul 5, 2015

The inverse of f(x) = sqrt(8-x) is
color(white)("XXXX")g(x)=8-x^2

Explanation:

Rename f(x) as y
Then, using the original equation, solve for x
color(white)("XXXX")y = sqrt(8-x)

color(white)("XXXX")y^2= 8-x

color(white)("XXXX")y^2-8 = -x

color(white)("XXXX")x = 8-y^2

Rename x as g(y)
color(white)("XXXX")g(y) = 8-y^2

...or using the more common variable x as the function variable:
color(white)("XXXX")g(x) = 8-x^2

Jul 5, 2015

f^-1(y) = 8-y^2 with domain [0, oo) and range (-oo,8]

Explanation:

Let y = f(x) = sqrt(8-x)

The domain of f is (-oo,8] and its range is [0,oo)

Then y^2 = 8-x

Add x-y^2 to both sides to get:

x = 8 - y^2

So f^-1(y) = 8-y^2 with domain [0,oo) and range (-oo,8]