(i) To find the inverse function \(f^{-1}\), start with \(y = x^2 + 1\).
Rearrange to solve for \(x\):
\(x^2 = y - 1\)
\(x = \pm \sqrt{y - 1}\)
Since \(x \geq 0\), we take the positive root:
\(x = \sqrt{y - 1}\)
Interchange \(x\) and \(y\) to get the inverse function:
\(f^{-1} : x \mapsto \sqrt{x-1}\) for \(x > 1\).
(ii) Solve \(ff(x) = \frac{185}{16}\).
First, find \(f(x)\):
\(f(x) = x^2 + 1\)
Then, \(ff(x) = (x^2 + 1)^2 + 1\)
Set \((x^2 + 1)^2 + 1 = \frac{185}{16}\)
\((x^2 + 1)^2 = \frac{185}{16} - 1 = \frac{169}{16}\)
\(x^2 + 1 = \pm \frac{13}{4}\)
Since \(x^2 + 1 \geq 1\), take the positive root:
\(x^2 + 1 = \frac{13}{4}\)
\(x^2 = \frac{13}{4} - 1 = \frac{9}{4}\)
\(x = \pm \frac{3}{2}\)
Since \(x \geq 0\), \(x = \frac{3}{2}\).