ACT Math · Function notation and transformations

If f(x) = (3x-5)/(2), what is f^-1(7)?

If f(x)=3x−52f(x) = \dfrac{3x-5}{2}, what is f−1(7)f^{-1}(7)?

Answer and explanation

Answer: B: 19/3

Set y=3x−52y=\frac{3x-5}{2} and swap the variables: x=3y−52x=\frac{3y-5}{2}. Then 2x=3y−52x=3y-5, so y=2x+53y=\frac{2x+5}{3}. At x=7x=7: f−1(7)=14+53=193f^{-1}(7)=\frac{14+5}{3}=\frac{19}{3}, choice B. Check: f(193)=19−52=7f\left(\frac{19}{3}\right)=\frac{19-5}{2}=7. Choice A (33) subtracts 55 instead of adding it. Choice C (293\frac{29}{3}) adds 1515 instead of 55. Choice D (9.59.5) divides by 22 instead of 33. Each wrong choice comes from an error while undoing the operations in the right order, so always verify by plugging your answer back into ff. The final check takes only one line, so it is always worth doing.

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