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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

Which of the following functions have inverses? Note that the domain of each function is also given.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

Enter the letters of the functions that have inverses, separated by commas. For example, if you think functions and have inverses, enter "B, E" without the quotation marks.
Solution
A. The function is decreasing, so it has an inverse.

B. Note that so the function does not have an inverse.

C. Note that so the function does not have an inverse.

D. The function is increasing on so it has an inverse.

E. Note that so the function does not have an inverse.

F. Both and are increasing, so is also increasing. Hence, it has an inverse.

G. Suppose for some Then Multiplying both sides by we get Then which factors as Since and are positive, cannot be 0, so

We have shown that forces so the function has an inverse.

H. The function has an inverse, namely

Thus, the letters of the functions that have inverses are
Final answer
\text{A, D, F, G, H}