THE VIRTUAL TRIANGLE

Addo-Yobo Alfred (Sparrow), 2012

In Mathematics, The Virtual Triangle is a way of calculating the inverse of a function in one variable, say x by envisaging a right angled triangle along the function. Functions in themselves can appear in different forms as there could be those which contain two x-variables such as y = 3x - 5 in different forms as well as those with only one x variable such as y = 4x +7. 4 +2x 6 For functions containing two x variables, these variables may appear along the vertical or the diagonal stretch. An example of functions with x variables along the vertical y = 5x 6. 3x + 2 An example of functions with x variables along the diagonal stretch is y = 3x 5 4 + 2x The best thing about The Virtual Triangle is that, its applicable in all forms, styles and cases of functions, so far as the problem is to calculate the inverse of that function, which could also lead to finding the range of the function. THEORIES ON THE VIRTUAL TRIANGLE Envisage a right angled triangle along the function always making sure the two x variables are always connected such as; y = 3x 5 4 + 2x Observe critically the position of the two x variables. That is whether, the x variables are located on the hypotenuse or the vertical of the right angled triangle. For the above triangle, we observe that the x variables are located on the hypotenuse of the triangle. If the x variables are located along the hypotenuse, switch the positions of the only coefficients along the vertical and negate the coefficients switched. When we say coefficients, we mean the numbers alone, not with the x variable. Also, if the x variables are located along the vertical, switch the positions of only the coefficients along the hypotenuse and negate the coefficients switched. That ends the theories on The Virtual Triangle. Lets take an example; In this example, we will first use the traditional method of calculating the inverse of a function and also apply The Virtual Triangle Rule and compare our answers. Find the inverse of the function y = 3x 5 4 + 2x Traditional method: Cross multiply, y (4 + 2x) = 3x 5 Expanding, 4y + 2xy = 3x 5 Grouping like terms, 2xy 3x = -5 4y Factoring out x, x (2y 3) = -5 4y Making x the subject, x = -5 4y 2y 3 -1 The inverse of the function above is y = -5 4x 2x 3

The Virtual Triangle method: o Analyze the function above and envisage a right angled triangle making sure the x variables are always connected. o Observe the location of the x variables. y = 3x 5 4 + 2x In this case, we see they are located on the hypotenuse, thus according to the theory of The Virtual Triangle, we switch the coefficients along the vertical of the triangle. The coefficients on the vertical in this instance are 3 and 4. We switch the positions of these numbers along the vertical resulting in the top and bottom of vertical line having 4x and 3 respectively. The final application is to negate the coefficients switch, resulting in -4x and -3 along the top and bottom of vertical line of triangle. o The resulting equation is the inverse of the function which is y-1 = -4x 5 -3 + 2x Comparing this result with the one realized when the traditional method, is there any difference?? The amazing thing about The Virtual Triangle is that, the inverse of a function could be calculated by observing the equation within averagely 2 seconds as the only thing is the switch and negate numbers basically. One may ask, so far, you have only showed how The Virtual Triangle is able to calculate the inverse of a function when two x variables are involved. What of the functions which contain only one x variable? In the event of a single x variable function such as, y = 4x +7 3 The theory of The Virtual Triangle still applies just that a second x variable (0x) has to be introduced. Thus, solution to the function above y = 4x +7 applying The Virtual Triangle will be 3 y = 4x + 7 the second x variable input 3 + 0x From the illustration above, the x variables are located on the hypotenuse, thus we switch the positions of the coefficients on the vertical line of the right angled triangle and negate the numbers switched. The coefficients along the vertical line are 4 and 3. Switching their positions and negating them, we end up with the top and bottom of the vertical line -3x and -4. Thus the resultant equation which is the inverse is y-1 = -3x + 7 -4 This resultant is the same if the traditional method is used in its calculation. With about 20 minutes practice, inverse of a function will be calculated in a second in days to come. Try several examples to confirm and validate the theory while you get yourself convinced This is the first of the Mawrrow series, which is a collection of mathematics related articles set to drastically reduce the time students take in performing calculation related questions to like two seconds per question in mathematics. Watch out for subsequent editions.