Set y = f ( x ) = 2 x − 1 .
Solve for x in terms of y : x = 2 y + 1 .
Swap x and y to find the inverse: y = 2 x + 1 .
The inverse function is 2 x + 1 .
Explanation
Finding the inverse function We need to find the inverse of the function f ( x ) = 2 x − 1 . To do this, we set y = 2 x − 1 and solve for x in terms of y .
Solving for x and swapping variables Adding 1 to both sides gives y + 1 = 2 x . Dividing both sides by 2 gives x = 2 y + 1 . Now, we swap x and y to get the inverse function: y = 2 x + 1 .
The inverse function Therefore, the inverse of f ( x ) = 2 x − 1 is f − 1 ( x ) = 2 x + 1 .
Examples
Understanding inverse functions is crucial in cryptography. For example, if f ( x ) encrypts a message, f − 1 ( x ) decrypts it. If f ( x ) = 2 x − 1 is a simple encryption function, knowing its inverse f − 1 ( x ) = 2 x + 1 allows you to decode the message. This concept extends to more complex encryption algorithms used daily to secure online communications.