Skip to main content
Ch. 4 - Inverse, Exponential, and Logarithmic Functions
Lial - College Algebra 13th Edition
Lial13th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136881063Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 5, Problem 117

Find ƒ-1(x), and give the domain and range. ƒ(x) = 2 ln 3x

Verified step by step guidance
1
Start by writing the function as an equation with y: \(y = 2 \ln(3x)\).
To find the inverse, swap x and y: \(x = 2 \ln(3y)\).
Isolate the logarithm by dividing both sides by 2: \(\frac{x}{2} = \ln(3y)\).
Rewrite the logarithmic equation in exponential form: \(e^{\frac{x}{2}} = 3y\).
Solve for y to get the inverse function: \(y = \frac{e^{\frac{x}{2}}}{3}\). Then, determine the domain and range by considering the original function's domain and range and how they switch for the inverse.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
4m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Inverse Functions

An inverse function reverses the effect of the original function, swapping inputs and outputs. To find ƒ⁻¹(x), you replace ƒ(x) with y, interchange x and y, then solve for y. The inverse exists only if the original function is one-to-one.
Recommended video:
4:30
Graphing Logarithmic Functions

Properties of Logarithmic Functions

Logarithmic functions, like ln(x), are the inverses of exponential functions. The natural logarithm ln(x) is defined only for x > 0, and it has a domain of (0, ∞) and range of (-∞, ∞). Understanding these properties helps determine the domain and range of the function and its inverse.
Recommended video:
5:26
Graphs of Logarithmic Functions

Domain and Range of Functions

The domain is the set of all possible input values, and the range is the set of all possible output values of a function. When finding an inverse, the domain of the original function becomes the range of the inverse, and vice versa. Identifying these sets ensures the function and its inverse are properly defined.
Recommended video:
4:22
Domain & Range of Transformed Functions