Math  /  Geometry

Questionmplete the following sentence. 1{ }^{-1} denotes the inverse of a function ff, then the graphs of ff and f1f^{-1} are symmetric with respect to the line \square . (pe an equation.)

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We need to find the line that acts as a mirror between the graph of a function and the graph of its inverse. Watch out! Don't mix up inverse functions with reciprocal functions!
The inverse is *not* 1 divided by the function.

STEP 2

1. Understand Inverse Functions
2. Visualize the Symmetry
3. Find the Line of Symmetry

STEP 3

Let's remember what an **inverse function** is!
If we have a function f(x)f(x) that takes an input xx and gives us an output yy, then the **inverse function**, written as f1(y)f^{-1}(y), takes that output yy and gives us back the original input xx.
It *reverses* the process!

STEP 4

Think of it like a gift exchange. f(x)f(x) is like wrapping the gift xx. f1(y)f^{-1}(y) is like unwrapping the gift yy to get back the original gift xx.

STEP 5

Imagine plotting a few points on the graph of f(x)f(x).
Let's say one point is (a,b)(a, b), which means f(a)=bf(a) = b.
Now, because f1f^{-1} does the opposite, we know that f1(b)=af^{-1}(b) = a.
This means the point (b,a)(b, a) is on the graph of f1(y)f^{-1}(y).

STEP 6

Let's take another point on f(x)f(x), say (c,d)(c, d).
Then f(c)=df(c) = d, and so f1(d)=cf^{-1}(d) = c.
This gives us the point (d,c)(d, c) on the graph of f1(y)f^{-1}(y).
See the pattern?
We're just swapping the x and y coordinates!

STEP 7

Now, think about what line would act as a mirror to reflect the point (a,b)(a, b) to (b,a)(b, a).
Or (c,d)(c, d) to (d,c)(d, c).
It's the line where the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate are equal!

STEP 8

That line is simply y=xy = x!
If you fold the graph paper along the line y=xy = x, the graphs of f(x)f(x) and f1(x)f^{-1}(x) will lie perfectly on top of each other.

STEP 9

The graphs of ff and f1f^{-1} are symmetric with respect to the line y=xy = x.

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