Questions about the proof of (a $\star$ b)$^{−1}$ = b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$ The book proves (a $\star$ b)$^{−1}$ = b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$, where $\star$ is considered a binary group operation.
I will state the book's proof and then follow up with my questions. 
Book's commentary:

In a group, to verify that an element h is the inverse of an element g, it suffices to show that g $\star$ h = e or h $\star$ g = e. In other
  words, we can prove that g $\star$ h = e $\rightarrow$ h $\star$ g = e and we can prove that h $\star$ g = e $\star$ g $\star$ h = e. For a proof that g$\star$h=e $\rightarrow$ h$\star$g=e, suppose that g$\star$h=e and k is the inverse of g. Then g$\star$k=k$\star$g=e. 
Since g$\star$h=e and g$\star$ k=e, we have g$\star$h=g$\star$k. By multiplying by g$^{−1}$ on each side of this equation, and using associativity, the inverse property, and the identity property, we get h = k. So, h is in fact the inverse of g. Proving that h $\star$ g = e $\rightarrow$ g $\star$ h = e is similar.

If I do variable substitution, then for my problem I get the following proof:
Proof:

To verify that an element (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) is the inverse of an element (a $\star$ b), it suffices to show that (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) = e or (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) $\star$ (a $\star$ b) = e. In other words, we can prove that (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) = e $\rightarrow$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) $\star$ (a $\star$ b) = e and we can prove that (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) $\star$ (a $\star$ b) = e $\rightarrow$ (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) = e. 
For a proof that (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$)=e $\rightarrow$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) $\star$ (a $\star$ b)=e, suppose that (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$)=e and k is the inverse of (a $\star$ b). Then (a $\star$ b) $\star$k = k$\star$ (a $\star$ b)=e.
Since (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) = e and (a $\star$ b) $\star$ k = e, we have (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$)= (a $\star$ b)$\star$k. By multiplying by (a $\star$ b)$^{−1}$ on each side of this equation, and using associativity, the inverse property, and the identity property, we get (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) = k. So, (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) is in fact the inverse of (a $\star$ b). Proving that (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) $\star$ (a $\star$ b) = e $\rightarrow$ (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) = e is similar.

Question 1:
Are these the correct steps in the proof written out?
(a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$)= (a $\star$ b)$\star$k
(a $\star$ b)$^{-1}$ $\star$ [(a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$)]= (a $\star$ b)$^{-1}$ $\star$ [(a $\star$ b)$\star$k]=
[(a $\star$ b)$^{-1}$ $\star$ (a $\star$ b)] $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$)= [(a $\star$ b)$^{-1}$ (a $\star$ b)]$\star$k=
e $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$)= e $ \star $ k =
(b$^{−1}$ $ \star$ a$^{−1}$) = k
Question 2:
The structure of the proof looks like this to me:
(a $\star$ b) $\star$ [LHS inverse] = (a $\star$ b) $\star$ [RHS inverse]
[Another inverse]$\star$ (a $\star$ b) $\star$ [LHS inverse] = [Another inverse] $\star$ (a $\star$ b) $\star$ [RHS inverse]
e $\star$ [LHS inverse] = e $\star$ [RHS inverse]
[LHS inverse] = [RHS inverse].
If I already have 2 inverses (LHS inverse and RHS inverse) then what is the point in introducing the "Another inverse" in my boilerplate proof above? It seems redundant to me to have three separate inverses for cancellations. Is this the general proof pattern for these type of proofs? 
Question 3:
The book states:

For a proof that (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$)=e $\rightarrow$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$) $\star$ (a $\star$ b)=e, suppose that (a $\star$ b) $\star$ (b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$)=e and k is the inverse of (a $\star$ b). Then (a $\star$ b) $\star$k = k$\star$ (a $\star$ b)=e.

You want to prove: (a $\star$ b)$^{−1}$ = b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$
How are you allowed to use what you are trying to prove as an assumption in the proof? If you want to show: (a $\star$ b)$^{−1}$ = b$^{−1}$ $\star$ a$^{−1}$, then how are you able to use this as a fact to prove the statement? This seems like supposing what you want to prove in your proof. This confuses me.

This is a screenshot from the text:

 A: This is not a direct answer to your questions, but hopefully helpful anyway. The passage states that

To verify that an element $(b^{−1}\star a^{−1})$ is the inverse of an element $(a\star b)$, it suffices to show that 
  $$(a\star b)\star (b^{−1}\star a^{−1}) = e...$$

The rest of the passage is poorly written, confusing and irrelevant. Here's a clear proof:
By associativity
$$(a\star b)\star (b^{−1}\star a^{−1})=a\star(b\star(b^{-1}\star a^{-1}))=a\star((b\star b^{-1})\star a^{-1}).$$
By definition of the inverse $b^{-1}$ of $b$
$$a\star((b\star b^{-1})\star a^{-1})=a\star(e\star a^{-1}).$$
By definition of the identity element
$$a\star(e\star a^{-1})=a\star a^{-1}.$$
By definition of the inverse $a^{-1}$ of $a$
$$a\star a^{-1}=e.$$
This shows that indeed
$$(a\star b)\star (b^{−1}\star a^{−1})=e.$$
A: Well, you need two show two things. First that $b^{-1}*a^{-1}$ is an inverse of $a*b$ and second that the inverse of an element is uniquely determined. Then it follows that
$$(a*b)^{-1}=b^{-1}*a^{-1}.$$
In view of the first assertion:
$$(a*b)*(b^{-1}*a^{-1}) = a*(b*b^{-1})*a^{-1} = a*e*a^{-1} = a*a^{-1}=e,$$
where $e$ denotes the unit element.
In view of the second assertion, let $b,c$ be inverses of $a$. Then
$$b = b*e = b*(a*c) = (b*a)*c = e*c = c.$$
Done.
A: Firstly, we need to show the the inverse of any element in a group $G$ is unique.
Suppose there are two inverses $$ b\ ,c, \ where\  b\neq c $$
such that $$ a*b=e=c*a.$$
Our first goal is to prove $$b=c.$$
So $$c\ =c*e = c*(a*b)=(c*a)*b=e*b=b.$$
Therefore the inverse of all elements in a group is unique.
Now we want to find the inverse of $$a*b.$$
Since $$a,b \in G,$$
it follows that $$ a^{-1},b^{-1} \in G. $$
Solving $(a*b)*(a*b)^{-1}=e$, or similarly $(a*b)^{-1}*(a*b)=e,$
just consider $$(a*b)*(a*b)^{-1}=e \\\implies a*(b*(a*b)^{-1})=e \ \ \ \ \ \ \ (by\ Assoc.\ law)
\\\implies a^{-1}*(a*(b*(a*b)^{-1}))=a^{-1}*e  \ \ \ \ \ \ \ (Multiply\ by\ a^{-1})
\\\implies (a^{-1}*a)*(b*(a*b)^{-1})=a^{-1}\ \ \ \ \ \ \ (by\ Assoc.\ law)
\\\implies e*(b*(a*b)^{-1})=a^{-1}
\\\implies b*(a*b)^{-1}=a^{-1}
\\\implies b^{-1}*(b*(a*b)^{-1})=b^{-1}*a^{-1}\ \ \ \ \ \ \ (Multiply\ by\ b^{-1})
\\\implies (b^{-1}*b)*(a*b)^{-1}=b^{-1}*a^{-1}\ \ \ \ \ \ \ (by\ Assoc.\ law)
\\\implies e*(a*b)^{-1}=b^{-1}*a^{-1}
\\\implies (a*b)^{-1}=b^{-1}*a^{-1}
$$
This is only one side of the proof; the other side is just similar to this.
A: Why not cut straight to the chase? Every group element has an inverse. Let $x$ be the inverse of $a \star b.$ Then $(a \star b) \star x = e.$ By associativity, $a \star (b \star x) = e.$ Compose both sides on the left with $a^{-1}$ to get $b \star x = a^{-1}.$ Repeat by hitting both sides on the left with $b^{-1}$ to get $x = b^{-1} \star a^{-1}.$ It's easy to verify (and in my opinion unnecessary) that $x$ is the inverse of $a \star b.$
