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Show that $f(x) = 3x - 2$, where $x \in \mathbb{R}$, is an injective function - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question b - 2016

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Show that $f(x) = 3x - 2$, where $x \in \mathbb{R}$, is an injective function. Given that $f(x) = 3x - 2$, where $x \in \mathbb{R}$, find a formula for $f^{-1}$, th... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Show that $f(x) = 3x - 2$, where $x \in \mathbb{R}$, is an injective function - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question b - 2016

Step 1

Show that $f(x) = 3x - 2$ is an injective function.

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Answer

To prove that the function f(x)=3x2f(x) = 3x - 2 is injective, we need to show that if f(a)=f(b)f(a) = f(b), then a=ba = b.

Starting with the equation:

f(a)=f(b)f(a) = f(b)

Substituting the function:

3a2=3b23a - 2 = 3b - 2

Next, we solve for aa and bb:

  1. Add 2 to both sides: 3a=3b3a = 3b
  2. Divide both sides by 3: a=ba = b

This confirms that the function is injective since we have shown that f(a)=f(b)f(a) = f(b) implies a=ba = b.

Step 2

Given that $f(x) = 3x - 2$, find a formula for $f^{-1}$.

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Answer

To find the inverse function f1(x)f^{-1}(x), we start by replacing f(x)f(x) with yy:

y=3x2y = 3x - 2

Next, we solve for xx in terms of yy:

  1. Add 2 to both sides: y+2=3xy + 2 = 3x
  2. Divide both sides by 3: x=y+23x = \frac{y + 2}{3}

Now, we replace yy with xx to express the inverse function:

f1(x)=x+23f^{-1}(x) = \frac{x + 2}{3}

Thus, the formula for the inverse function of ff is f1(x)=x+23f^{-1}(x) = \frac{x + 2}{3}.

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