Curriculum placement
Algebra 2. This describes the skill, not a learner estimate.
Finding an inverse function
Find inverses and restrict domains where needed
Problem types
- Values of an inverse
- Find and restrict inverses
- Write the inverse of an exponential function, or a function from its cube-root inverse
Builds on
- Composition of functions
- Rearranging a formula · Useful idea
Solving y = f(x) for x gives the formula for the inverse function.
Leads to
Related skills
- Solving radical equations · Related idea
Squaring undoes a square root, which is why solving radical equations works and why extraneous solutions must be checked.
- Rational exponents and radicals · Related idea
The power function x to the 1/n is the inverse of x to the n, so rational exponents give inverses of power functions.
- Inverse of a matrix · Related idea
An inverse function undoes a function, as an inverse matrix undoes the matrix transformation.
- Piecewise and absolute-value functions · Related idea
A function that is not one-to-one has an inverse only on a restricted piece of its domain.
- Motion described by a parameter · Shared foundations
Open the interactive map to explore lessons and skill connections.