Algebra 2 (1st Edition)

Published by McDougal Littell
ISBN 10: 0618595414
ISBN 13: 978-0-61859-541-9

Chapter 6 Rational Exponents and Radical Functions - 6.4 Use Inverse Functions - 6.4 Exercises - Problem Solving - Page 445: 51c

Answer

$\{f|f(x)=x\}\cup\{f|f(x)=b-x,b\text{ real}\}$

Work Step by Step

We will determine the linear functions which are their own inverses. Let $f(x)=mx+b$. $$\begin{align*} f(x)&=mx+b\quad&&\text{Write original function.}\\ y&=mx+b\quad&&\text{Replace }f(x)\text{ by }y\\ x&=my+b\quad&&\text{Switch }x\text{ and }y.\\ x-b&=my\quad&&\text{Subtract }b\text{ from each side.}\\ \dfrac{x-b}{m}&=y\quad&&\text{Divide each side by }m. \end{align*}$$ The inverse function of $f$ is $f^{-1}(x)=\dfrac{x-b}{m}$. In order to have $f=f^{-1}$ we must have: $$\begin{cases} m=\dfrac{1}{m}\\ b=-\dfrac{b}{m}. \end{cases}$$ $$\begin{cases} m^2=1\\ b(m+1)=0. \end{cases}$$ $m=1\Rightarrow b=0$ $m=-1\Rightarrow b$ any real number Therefore the family of linear functions which are their own inverses consists of the functions: $$\{f|f(x)=x\}\cup\{f|f(x)=b-x,b\text{ real}\}$$.
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