inverse

In mathematics, an inverse function is a function that "undoes" the action of another function. For example, if you convert Celsius to Fahrenheit using one formula, the inverse formula will convert Fahrenheit back to Celsius, returning you to the original temperature.1

Inverse procedures are crucial for solving equations because they allow mathematical operations to be reversed. For instance, logarithms are the inverses of exponential functions and are used to solve exponential equations.1

Another concept is the invertible matrix, which is a square matrix that, when multiplied by its inverse, results in the identity matrix (M M^-1 = I_n). A matrix is invertible only if its determinant is not zero.2

The additive inverse of a number is the number that, when added to the original number, results in zero (e.g., the additive inverse of 4 is -4). Inverse variation describes a mathematical relationship where the product of two variables is constant.34