a) SOLUTION:[tex]\begin{aligned} C(x) & = 1300x + 5500 \\ y & = 1300x + 5500 \\ x & = 1300y + 5500 \\ 1300y + 5500 & = x \\ 1300y & = x - 5500 \\ \frac{1300y}{1300} & = \frac{x - 5500}{1300} \\ y & = \frac{x - 5500}{1300} \end{aligned}[/tex][tex]\boxed{C^{-1}(x) = \frac{x - 5500}{1300}}[/tex]b) SOLUTION:[tex]\begin{aligned} C^{-1}(x) & = \frac{x - 5500}{1300} \\ & = \frac{12000 - 5500}{1300} \\ & = \frac{6500}{1300} \\ & = \boxed{\text{5 laptops}} \end{aligned}[/tex]