Analyzing the Setup
We are given two functions, f(x)=ax−3 and g(x)=xb+c, where a,b,c∈N. We are also provided with the inverse of their composition:
Our goal is to determine the value of (f∘g)(ac)+(g∘f)(b).
The Inverse Mystery
To find the original composite function (f∘g)(x), we must reverse the inverse operation. Let y=(f∘g)−1(x), which implies x=(f∘g)(y).
Setting y=(2x−7)1/3, we cube both sides to obtain:
Solving for x, we multiply by 2 and add 7:
Replacing y with x to return to standard notation, we find the composite function:
The Algebraic Mirror
We know that (f∘g)(x)=f(g(x)). Substituting the definitions of f and g:
(f∘g)(x)=f(xb+c)=a(xb+c)−3=axb+ac−3
We now equate this to our derived expression 2x3+7. By comparing the coefficients and powers, we observe:
Equating the constant terms:
Substituting a=2 into the equation:
Thus, the constants are a=2, b=3, and c=5.
Final Calculation
First, we calculate (f∘g)(ac). Since ac=2×5=10:
(f∘g)(10)=2(10)3+7=2(1000)+7=2007
Next, we calculate (g∘f)(b)=(g∘f)(3). Given (g∘f)(x)=g(f(x))=(f(x))b+c:
Substituting x=3:
(g∘f)(3)=(2(3)−3)3+5=(6−3)3+5=33+5=27+5=32
Summing the two results:
The final value is 2039.