College Algebra / Unit 5 Alg 294 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Reciprocal-Inverse Error
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The idea
The reciprocal-inverse error reads f⁻¹(x) as 1/f(x); the −1 marks the reverse machine, not an exponent on the output.
In practice
For f(x) = 2x + 3: f⁻¹(11) = 4, while 1/f(11) = 1/25 — not remotely the same number.
Where people slip
On functions, the −1 names an inverse; Video 031's reciprocal rule governs powers, not machines.
Your place on the trail
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