inverse function
- noun
- /ˈɪnvɜrs ˈfʌŋkʃən/
- Specialized
:
función inversa
- The inverse function, f -1, is defined as the sequence moving backward from an ending integer through to some initial starting integer that would eventually arrive at the number entered through a series of forward iterations.
Examples
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To find the inverse function, we have: PREFORMATTED TABLE
Academic text (1990) -
That random variable, which is the output of the inverse function, is now the estimated time for the given arc.
Academic text (1990) -
These inverse functions are typically easy to calculate, especially for the most popular distributions that are widely used.
Academic text (1990) -
If R should represent a number from another distribution, then R must act as input into an inverse function, which would generate as output the correct random variable for that distribution.
Academic text (1990) -
The inverse function of f(x) allows us to retrieve the original x value when we know y.
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Calculating the inverse function can often simplify solving equations by reversing operations.
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In mathematics, the inverse function undoes the action of the original function, returning to the starting point.
Synonyms
8
6.2
Something that is the opposite of another thing in order or effect
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'inverse' (opposite/reversed) modifies 'function' (a mapping), so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a function that reverses another. Although formal mathematical details require subject knowledge, the core idea of reversal is transparent and cross‑linguistically encoded.
Etymology
Inverse function comes from the idea that an inverse is something that 'undoes' and a function is a rule that changes a number. Imagine you add 3 to a number; the inverse function takes the result and 'undoes' that step to get the original number back, so it means 'a function that reverses another'.