Exploring the Floor Function: x + O(x^(1/2))

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In summary, the floor function satisfies \lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(x^{e}) for any e=0 or greater, but this is needlessly weak compared to the statement \lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(\sqrt x) which is also true. The latter statement is stronger because it allows for a larger range of functions to be included. Additionally, since \lfloor x\rfloor-x is bounded, it can also be written as \lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(1).
  • #1
zetafunction
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does the floor function satisfy

[tex] floor(x)= x + O(x^{1/2}) [/tex]

the idea is the floor function would have an 'smooth' part given by x and a oscillating contribution with amplitude proportional to [tex] x^{1/2} [/tex]
 
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  • #2
Why would the order of [tex]x-\lfloor x\rfloor[/tex] depend on the order of x?
 
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  • #3
zetafunction said:
does the floor function satisfy

[tex] floor(x)= x + O(x^{1/2}) [/tex]

Yes. It also satisfies

[tex]\lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(2^{2^x})[/tex].

But both are needlessly weak.
 
  • #4
CRGreathouse said:
Yes. It also satisfies

[tex]\lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(2^{2^x})[/tex].

But both are needlessly weak.

what do you mean by 'weak' , is there a proof for [tex] \lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(x^{1/2}) [/tex].
 
  • #5
zetafunction said:
what do you mean by 'weak' , is there a proof for [tex] \lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(x^{1/2}) [/tex].

[tex]O(2^{2^x})[/tex] is weaker than [tex]O(\sqrt x)[/tex] in the sense that there are functions which are in the former but not the latter, but none in the latter but in the former.

You should be able to give a one-line proof of a statement stronger than [tex]\lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(\sqrt x)[/tex].
 
  • #6
[tex]
\lfloor x\rfloor-x
[/tex] can not be bigger than one by the definition of floor function and fractional part so

perhaps [tex]
\lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(x^{e})
[/tex] fore any e=0 or bigger than 0 is this what you meant ??
 
  • #7
I think what the others are trying to say is that, since [itex]\lfloor x\rfloor-x[/itex] is bounded, then [itex]\lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(1)[/itex].

Petek
 
  • #8
Petek said:
I think what the others are trying to say is that, since [itex]\lfloor x\rfloor-x[/itex] is bounded, then [itex]\lfloor x\rfloor=x+O(1)[/itex].

Indeed.
 

1. What is the floor function?

The floor function, denoted as ⌊x⌋, rounds down a given number to the nearest integer less than or equal to that number. For example, ⌊3.14⌋ = 3 and ⌊-5.7⌋ = -6.

2. What does the notation "x + O(x^(1/2))" mean?

This notation is used in mathematics to represent a function that is asymptotically less than or equal to a function of the form x^(1/2). In other words, as x approaches infinity, the value of the function x + O(x^(1/2)) will always be less than or equal to the value of the function x^(1/2).

3. How is the floor function related to x + O(x^(1/2))?

The floor function can be thought of as a special case of the function x + O(x^(1/2)), where the value of x is always an integer. This means that the floor function is always less than or equal to x + O(x^(1/2)), since the value of x will never be rounded up to the next integer in the floor function.

4. What are some practical applications of exploring the floor function: x + O(x^(1/2))?

The floor function and the notation x + O(x^(1/2)) are commonly used in computer science and number theory. They are used to analyze algorithms and to find the efficiency of certain operations, such as sorting and searching. They are also used in cryptography and in the study of prime numbers.

5. Are there any other functions similar to the floor function?

Yes, there are other functions that round numbers to the nearest integer, such as the ceiling function (⌈x⌉) which rounds up to the nearest integer, and the rounding function (round(x)) which rounds to the nearest integer based on standard rounding rules. However, the floor function is unique in that it always rounds down to the nearest integer, regardless of the decimal value of the number.

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