Inverse is where you swap the x's with y's and the y with x. Then solve for "y". Remember that f(x) is actually "y"
y = -4 √x - 1 → x = -4√y - 1 notice that y ≥ 0
x + 1 = -4√y
- (x + 1)/4 = √y
[- (x + 1)/4]² = (√y)²
(x + 1)²/16 = |y|
(x + 1)²/16 = +/- y
(x + 1)²/16 is positive so disregard "-y"
Now, let's look at the restrictions: x = -4√y - 1 since y≥0, then y must be zero or positive so √y must be zero or positive, therefore -4√y must be zero or negative.
x + 1 = -4√y → x + 1 = 0 or x + 1 = negative
x = -1 or x = negative - 1
Thus, x ≤ -1
Answer: f⁻¹(x) =
; x ≤ -1