How to Derive Inverse of x + e^x = y Algebraically

inverse functionlambert-w

Okay, so here's an approach I took:

$$ x + e^x = y $$
$$ e^{[x + e^x]} = e^y $$
$$ e^x e^{e^x} = e^y $$
$$ e^x = W(e^y) $$
$$ x = \ln{W(e^y)} $$
Where $W(z)$ is Lambert W function.

This works, but if I feed the initial problem into Wolfram Alpha, it gives me a different result:
$$ x = y – W(e^y) $$

This solution looks cleaner and works better for the purposes of the problem I'm trying to solve. However since I don't have much experience doing math with the W function and utilizing its properties, I failed to figure out, how I derive it myself. Please, may someone explain to me, how?

Best Answer

One has $W(e^y)e^{W(e^y)} = e^y$ by definition of the Lambert function, hence $W(e^y) = e^{y-W(e^y)}$ and finally $x = \ln W(e^y) = y - W(e^y)$.

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