ACT Math · Function notation and transformations

If f(x) = 2x/x+1, what is f^-1(x)?

If f(x)=2xx+1f(x) = \dfrac{2x}{x+1}, what is f−1(x)f^{-1}(x)?

Answer and explanation

Answer: F: x/2-x

Write y=2xx+1y=\frac{2x}{x+1} and swap the variables: x=2yy+1x=\frac{2y}{y+1}. Multiply both sides by y+1y+1: xy+x=2yxy+x=2y. Gather the yy terms: x=2y−xy=y(2−x)x=2y-xy=y(2-x). Divide: y=x2−xy=\frac{x}{2-x}, choice F. Check with a value: f(1)=22=1f(1)=\frac{2}{2}=1, and f−1(1)=12−1=1f^{-1}(1)=\frac{1}{2-1}=1. Choice J (x+12x\frac{x+1}{2x}) is the reciprocal of the original function, which is not an inverse. Choice G (xx+2\frac{x}{x+2}) has a sign error in the denominator. Choice H (2−xx\frac{2-x}{x}) is the reciprocal of the correct answer. Verifying an inverse by testing a value is a reliable shortcut.

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