What is the inverse of the function #y = 2x + 5#?

1 Answer
Jan 2, 2016

If #f(x)=2x+5#
#f(x)^-1=(x-5)/2#

Explanation:

This method works, but I'm not sure how sound it is mathematically.

Let #f(x)=y#
so #y=2x+5#
then rearrange for #x#
so #x=(y-5)/2#
Now swap the subject for #f(x)^-1# and the #y# for #x#.
#f(x)^-1=(x-5)/2#

You can check the answer by substituting in a value for #x#, example #x=3#

#f(3)=6+5=11#
Then put the answer of that into the inverse equation, and you should receive the first number you put in.

#f(11)^-1=(11-5)/2=6/2=3#