Inverse functions and differentiation

The inverse of a function <math>y = f(x)</math> is a function that, in some fashion, "undoes" the effect of <math>f</math> (see inverse function for a formal and detailed definition). The inverse of <math>f</math> is denoted <math>f^{-1}</math>. The statements y=f(x) and x=f^-1(y) are equivalent.

Differentiation in calculus is the process of obtaining a derivative. The derivative of a function gives the slope at any point.

<math>\frac{dy}{dx} </math> denotes the derivative of the function <math>y=f(x)</math> with respect to <math>x</math>.

<math>\frac{dx}{dy} </math> denotes the derivative of the function <math>x=f(y)</math> with respect to <math>y</math>.

The two derivatives are, as the Leibnitz notation[?] suggests, reciprocal, that is

<math>\frac{dx}{dy}\,.\, \frac{dy}{dx} = 1 </math>

This is a direct consequence of the chain rule, since

<math> \frac{dx}{dy}\,.\, \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{dx}{dx} </math>

and the derivative of <math> x </math> with respect to <math> x </math> is 1.

Examples

• <math>y = x^2</math> (for positive <math>x</math>) has inverse <math>x = \sqrt{y}</math>.

<math> \frac{dy}{dx} = 2x

\mbox{ }\mbox{ }\mbox{ }\mbox{ }; \mbox{ }\mbox{ }\mbox{ }\mbox{ } \frac{dx}{dy} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{y}} </math>

<math> \frac{dy}{dx}\,.\,\frac{dx}{dy} = 2x . \frac{1}{2\sqrt{y}} = \frac{2x}{2x} = 1 </math>

• <math>y = e^x</math> has inverse <math> x = \ln (y)</math> (for positive <math>y</math>).

<math> \frac{dy}{dx} = e^x

\mbox{ }\mbox{ }\mbox{ }\mbox{ }; \mbox{ }\mbox{ }\mbox{ }\mbox{ } \frac{dx}{dy} = \frac{1}{y} </math>

<math> \frac{dy}{dx}\,.\,\frac{dx}{dy} = e^x . \frac{1}{y} = \frac{e^x}{e^x} = 1 </math>

Additional properties

• Integrating this relationship gives

<math>{f^{-1}}(y)=\int\frac{1}{f'(x)}\,.\,{dx} + c</math>

This is only useful if the integral exists. In particular we need <math> f'(x) </math> to be non-zero across the range of integration.

It follows that functions with continuous derivative have inverses in a neighbourhood of every point where the derivative is non-zero. This need not be true if the derivative is not continuous.

Related Topics

calculus, inverse functions, chain rule