1.5.3 Tabular Representation of Inverse Functions

If the pairs of numbers that constitute a function are known explicitly — for example, by being listed in a table — it is very easy to display explicitly the inverse function: Just write all the pairs in reverse order — or, equivalently, interchange the columns of the table.

Activity 4

1. Make a table of the data given graphically in Figure 3, and find the inverse function from your table.
2. In what year did Iran's energy consumption pass 3 quadrillion Btu's?

Figure 3   Iran's Energy Consumption, 1981-2000
Source: DOE Energy Information Administration

Comment on Activity 4

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