Finding y given x from an interpolating function

I would like to put a dot on the point of a curve that has a specific y value but I don't know the x value.

A simple example of my code is

eqns = {y''[t] + y[t] == 3 a Sin[y[t]], y[0] == y'[0] == 1};
pfun = ParametricNDSolveValue[eqns, y[1] + y[2], {t, 0, 5}, {a}];
Plot[pfun[a], {a, -2, 2}]


So say I want to find the x at which y=3. How? Once I have the two coordinates I know how to add the dot. I guess I'm confused because the interpolating function gives you the y given the x, and I can't figure out how to do the inverse. Also any suggestions of tutorials on how to use interpolating functions would be great. Thanks!

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One comment: the subject should reflect the intent of the question. This one seems to have reversed x and y. –  Daniel Lichtblau Jun 11 '13 at 0:01

One way is to use FindRoot

FindRoot[pfun[x] == 3.0, {x, 0}]


Another way is InverseFunction which can be utilised like this

InverseFunction[pfun][3.0]

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Thanks for responding so quickly. I tried the InverseFunction and it gave me InverseFunction[ParametricFunction[<>]][3] –  LiaChica Jun 8 '13 at 12:01
@Lia, ah, that means ParametricFunction[] is not invertible. Stick with hal's first proposal, then. –  Guess who it is. Jun 8 '13 at 12:07
@LiaChica The initial x in FindRoot is sometimes crucial to find the correct solution. Always remember that FindRoot is a local method with stepsize approximations etc where all kinds of bad things can happen. E.g. FindRoot[Sin[x], {x, Pi/2}] gives -8.0*Pi here. So you should have a good understanding of your function. –  halirutan Jun 8 '13 at 15:38
I managed to make FindRoot work once I gave it a specific domain to look in, e.g. FindRoot[pfun[x]==3.0,{x,0,5}] Many thanks! –  LiaChica Jun 9 '13 at 9:37

If you do want to use InverseFunction you could make interpolating function via FunctionInterpolation:

f = FunctionInterpolation[pfun[a], {a, -2, 2}];

InverseFunction[f][3]

(* 0.206407 *)

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