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Mathematics Dictionary
Dr. K. G. Shih

Inverse of y = a*x^2 + b*x + c



  • Q01 | - What is inverse of a function ?
  • Q02 | - Inverse of Y = a*x^2 + b*x + c is X = a*y^2 + b*y + c
  • Q03 | - Find intersection of y = a*x^2 + b*x + c with it inverse
  • Q04 | - Find intersection of y = x^2 - 2*x + 4 and its inverse
  • Q05 | - Find intersection of y = x^2 - 3*x + 4 and its inverse
  • Q06 | - Diagram : y = a*x^2 + b*x + c and its inverse


Q01. Inverse function of y = a*x^2 + b*x + c

Definition
  • 1. It is the reflection of Y = F(X) about Y = X
  • 2. It is the image of Y = F(X) about Y = X (it looks like mirror)
  • 3. The inverse is x = a*y^2 + b*y + c
How to find the inverse of a function ?
  • Y = F(X) and find X interms of Y
  • That is to interchange X and Y as X = F(Y)

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Q02. Inverse of Y = a*x^2 + b*x + c is X = a*y^2 + b*y + c

Find the inverse
  • Solve for x and we have x = (-b + Sqr(b^2-4*a*(c-y))/(2*a)
    • The inverse is y = (-b + Sqr(b^2-4*a*(c-x))/(2*a)
    • The inverse is y = (-b - Sqr(b^2-4*a*(c-x))/(2*a)
  • The inverse is x = a*y^2 + b*y + c
Prove that inverse is x = a*y^2 + b*y + c
  • 2*a*y + b = Sqr(b^2 - 4*a*(c-x))
  • Square both sides : (2*a*y + b)^2 = b^2 - 4*a*(c-x)
  • 4*a^2*y^2 + 4*a*b*y + b^2) = b^2 - 4*a*c + 4*a*x
  • 4*a*x = 4*a^2*y^2 +4*a*b*y + 4*a*c
  • x = a*y^2 + b*y + c

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Q03 Find intersection of y = a*x^2 + B*x + c with it inverse

How many intersctions of y = a*x^2+b*x+c with its inverse

  • There is no intersection
  • There is one intersection
  • There are two intersections
  • There are four intersections
How do we prove it ?
    * Find intersection of y = a*x^2 + b*x + c with inverse
    * First we solve y = a*x^2 + b*x + c and y = x
    * This gives a quadratic equation : a*x^2 + (b-1)*x + c = 0
    * Let Discriminant D = (b-1)^2 - 4*a*c
    * D < 0 then there is no intersection
    * D = 0 there is one intersection, i.e. y = x is tangent to curve
    * D > 0 there are 2 or 4 intersections


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Q04 Find intersection of y = x^2 - 2*x + 4 with it inverse

Solution : There is no point of intersection
  • Since (b - 1)^2 - 4*a*c = (-2 - 1)^2 - 4*1*4 = -7
  • Hence there is no point of intersection
Verify using Graphic calculator
  • Graphic Calculater Section 6 10
  • Start the progam
  • Select section 6 in upper box
  • Select 10 in lower box
  • Give coefficients 1, -2, 4

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Q05 Find intersection of y = x^2 - 3*x + 4 with it inverse

Funtion y = x^2 - 3*x + 4 and its inverse has 0ne intersections
  • Intersection of y = x^2 - 3*x + 4 and y = x
  • We solve x^2 - 3*x + 4 = x
  • Since D = (b - 1)^2 - 4*a*c = (-3 - 1)^2 - 4*1*4 = 0
  • Hence it has only one point of intersection
  • The solution is obtained from x^2 - 4*x + 4 = 0
    • x = 2
    • y = (2)^2 - 3*(2) + 4 = 2
Verify using Graphic calculator
  • Graphic Calculater Section 6 10
  • Start the progam
  • Select section 6 in upper box
  • Select 10 in lower box
  • Give coefficients 1, -3, 4

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Q05 Find intersection of y = x^2 - 2*x + 4 with it inverse

Solution : There is no point of intersection
  • Since (b - 1)^2 - 4*a*c = (-2 - 1)^2 - 4*1*4 = -7
  • Hence there is no point of intersection
Verify using Graphic calculator
  • Graphic Calculater Section 6 10
  • Start the progam
  • Select section 6 in upper box
  • Select 10 in lower box
  • Give coefficients 1, -2, 4

Go to Begin

Q06 Diagram of intersection of y = x^2 - 6*x + 8 with it inverse


y = x^2 - 6*x + 8 and its inverse



y = x^2 + 0.25 and its inverse


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Copyright © Dr. K. G. Shih, Nova Scotia, Canada.

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