The function \(f\) is defined for \(x \in \mathbb{R}\) by
\(f : x \mapsto a - 2x\),
where \(a\) is a constant.
(a) Express \(ff(x)\) and \(f^{-1}(x)\) in terms of \(a\) and \(x\).
(b) Given that \(ff(x) = f^{-1}(x)\), find \(x\) in terms of \(a\).
Solution
(a) To find \(ff(x)\), apply \(f\) twice:
\(f(x) = a - 2x\)
\(ff(x) = f(f(x)) = f(a - 2x) = a - 2(a - 2x)\)
\(= a - 2a + 4x = 4x - a\)
To find \(f^{-1}(x)\), solve \(y = a - 2x\) for \(x\):
\(y = a - 2x\)
\(2x = a - y\)
\(x = \frac{a-y}{2}\)
Thus, \(f^{-1}(x) = \frac{a-x}{2}\).
(b) Given \(ff(x) = f^{-1}(x)\):
\(4x - a = \frac{a-x}{2}\)
Multiply through by 2 to clear the fraction:
\(8x - 2a = a - x\)
\(8x + x = a + 2a\)
\(9x = 3a\)
\(x = \frac{a}{3}\)
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