Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The equation f^-1(x) = √x represents an inverse function that takes x as input and returns its square root as output. It is commonly used when finding inverses of quadratic functions.
The square root function (√x) is a mathematical operation that finds the non-negative number whose square equals x. It is the opposite operation of squaring (raising to power 2).
A quadratic function is a polynomial function with degree 2, meaning its highest power term has an exponent of 2. It can be written in standard form as f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants.
Inverse trigonometric functions are functions that "undo" the actions of trigonometric functions. They allow us to find angles or values that produce a specific trigonometric ratio, such as finding the angle whose sine is 0.5.