Given the equation:
y = x^2 – 18x
Rewrite in vertex form:
y = x^2 – 18x + (18/2)^2 – (18/2)^2
y = (x – 9)^2 – 81
Swap x and y:
x = (y – 9)^2 – 81
Solve for y:
x + 81 = (y – 9)^2
y – 9 = sqrt (x + 81)
y = sqrt (x + 81) + 9
or
y = (x + 81)^(1/2) + 9