Can anyone guide me for this? thank you in advance

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the continuity of a piecewise function defined using sine and cosine, specifically examining the conditions under which the function is continuous at a point in the real numbers. The problem requires the use of the epsilon-delta definition of continuity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the existence of a point c where sin(c) = cos(c) and discuss the implications of this equality for the continuity of the function. Questions arise regarding how to identify such a point and the reasoning behind the continuity of sine and cosine at that point.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints and alternative approaches to finding the point c, while others express confusion about the necessity of identifying this point and the continuity of the sine and cosine functions at that location. The discussion is active, with various interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for familiarity with trigonometric properties and the implications of the epsilon-delta definition in the context of real analysis. There is an acknowledgment of the importance of understanding the geometric relationships between the sine and cosine functions.

Unusualskill
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Let f be the function:
f(x) =
sin(x) ; x is element of Q
cos(x) ; x is not element of Q
Prove, using epsilon-delta definition, that there is a point c,which is element of R at which f is continuous.
Hint: Consider c such that sin(c) = cos(c); why does such a c exist? Then,
since you know that sin(x) and cos(x) are continuous at c, for epsilon> 0, you get delta1 >
0 that gives lsin(x)-sin(c)l <epsilon , and also delta2 > 0 that gives lcos(x)-cos(c)l <epsilon .
Now, why does delta = min(delta1; delta2) work to show lf(x)- f(c)l < epsilon.
 
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Since at each x one of the deltas work then the smaller works for all.
 
mathman said:
Since at each x one of the deltas work then the smaller works for all.
But how to find that c such that sin(c)=cos(c)?
 
Hint: sin(c) = tan(c)cos(c), and tan is surjective.

Alternatively, consider that the graphs of sin and cos intersect.

In the further alternative (not really necessary since either of the above two are sufficient to conclude that such a [itex]c[/itex] exists and you don't actually need to find an exact value for it), consider the triangle formed by cutting a unit square along a diagonal.

Really, between the hint provided in the question and mathman's response you now have a complete answer to the analysis part of the question. The incidental trigonometry should have been obvious; you should be thoroughly familiar with the basic properties (geometric definitions, graphs, special values) of the trigonometric functions before studying calculus or real analysis.
 
Last edited:
Equivalently, sin(c)= cos(c) is the same as saying tan(c)= 1. You should be able to solve that!
 
HallsofIvy said:
Equivalently, sin(c)= cos(c) is the same as saying tan(c)= 1. You should be able to solve that!
Erm, what i don understand is that why i have to find such c? n why sin x and cos x will be continuous at that c?eg 45 degree?
 
You will understand that when you do the final step of the proof that was sketched in the problem statement.
 

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