How do you find the inverse of f(x)=(x+2)^2-4?

1 Answer
Jan 19, 2016

This function is not one-one, so has no well defined inverse unless you restrict the domain.

Explanation:

Note that f(-3) = f(-1) = -3, so f^(-1)(-3) is not well defined.

If we restrict the domain of f(x) it is possible to construct an inverse.

For example, if the domain of f(x) is [-2, oo) then

f^(-1)(y) = sqrt(y+4)-2