0606 P23 - Jun 2017 - Q9 - 9 marks
8613
The functions \(f\) and \(g\) are defined, for \(x\gt 1\), by
\(f(x)=9\sqrt{x-1}, \qquad g(x)=x^2+2.\)
(i) Find an expression for \(f^{-1}(x)\), stating its domain.
(ii) Find the exact value of \(fg(7)\).
(iii) Solve \(gf(x)=5x^2+83x-95\).
Solution
Answer: (i) \(f^{-1}(x)=\left(\dfrac{x}{9}\right)^2+1\), domain \(x\gt 0\). (ii) \(45\sqrt2\). (iii) \(x=\dfrac85\).
(i) Let
\(y=9\sqrt{x-1}.\)
Then
\(\frac{y}{9}=\sqrt{x-1}.\)
Square both sides:
\(\left(\frac{y}{9}\right)^2=x-1.\)
So
\(x=\left(\frac{y}{9}\right)^2+1.\)
Swap \(x\) and \(y\):
\(f^{-1}(x)=\left(\frac{x}{9}\right)^2+1.\)
Since \(x\gt 1\) for \(f\), we have \(\sqrt{x-1}\gt 0\), so the range of \(f\) is \(y\gt 0\). Therefore the domain of \(f^{-1}\) is
\(x\gt 0.\)
(ii) First find \(g(7)\):
\(g(7)=7^2+2=51.\)
Therefore
\(fg(7)=f(51)=9\sqrt{51-1}=9\sqrt{50}=45\sqrt2.\)
(iii) We have
\(gf(x)=g(f(x))=(9\sqrt{x-1})^2+2=81(x-1)+2=81x-79.\)
So the equation becomes
\(81x-79=5x^2+83x-95.\)
Rearranging,
\(5x^2+2x-16=0.\)
Factorise:
\((5x-8)(x+2)=0.\)
Hence
\(x=\frac85 \quad\text{or}\quad x=-2.\)
But the domain is \(x\gt 1\), so only
\(\boxed{x=\frac85}\)
is valid.