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In trigonometry, how do I find these inverses?

In trigonometry, would these equations have inverses?

1. x=y^2-3
2. x=abs(y-2)+1
3. x^2+y^2=5
4. x^2-2y^2=9
5. abs(x+y)=4

September 18, 2012

6 Comments • Newest first

ulti25

My question is what do these problems have to do with trigonometry...

Reply September 18, 2012 - edited
DrHye

[quote=meeop13]So I have to graph x=y^2-3. To graph this, I made it y=+ - sqrt(x+3).
I have to graph the inverse, but I made the original equation into it's inverse. What do I do?
Thanks.[/quote]

Sometimes it's easier to graph the given equation and then use this method to graph the inverse. x=y^2 - 3 is much easier to graph than y = +- sqrt(x+3). Ignoring where the variables are, you can kinda just tell it's simpler. No square roots, so any values you pick for the given equation should come out as whole numbers, as long as you plug in whole numbers.

The thing to note is that when you make up ordered pairs (coordinates) for x = y^2 - 3 is that you're starting by making up y values, not x values. So don't get confused when graphing. I suggest making a table of 4 or 5 y values and quickly solving for all their x values. Once you have a table filled out, make ordered pairs out of your results and graph them.

All that is graphing the given equation. To graph the inverse of that equation... check this out: http://www.purplemath.com/modules/invrsfcn.htm

This should save you a lot of time, compared to using the inverse equation.

(Someone let me know if I'm completely right or wrong at any point... I haven't done inverse equations in a while)

Reply September 18, 2012 - edited
Maylive

[quote=meeop13]So I have to graph x=y^2-3. To graph this, I made it y=+ - sqrt(x+3).
I have to graph the inverse, but I made the original equation into it's inverse. What do I do?
Thanks.[/quote]

it doesn't have an inverse but! you can draw the graph this way:
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=y%3DRe%28%2Bsqrt%28x%2B3%29%29+and+y%3DRe%28-sqrt%28x%2B3%29%29++from+-6+to+6

switch x and y, draw, rotate the graph 90 degrees (clock)

Reply September 18, 2012 - edited
meeop13

So I have to graph x=y^2-3. To graph this, I made it y=+ - sqrt(x+3).
I have to graph the inverse, but I made the original equation into it's inverse. What do I do?
Thanks.

Reply September 18, 2012 - edited
Tabris

[quote=wrabacon7]Don't you just switch the x and y variables and then solve for y all over again? Sorry if I'm wrong, it's been a while xD[/quote]
this is correct.

Reply September 18, 2012 - edited
Daysiie

just switch the x and y and solve for y, right?

Reply September 18, 2012 - edited