Cosecant function: notation for the domain and range -- Am I right?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the notation for the domain and range of the cosecant function, ##y=\csc x##. Participants explore different ways to express these concepts using set notation and interval notation, focusing on the correctness and clarity of their representations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a set notation for the domain as ##\text{D}:\{x\,|\,x\not\in{n\pi},\,n\not\in{\mathbb{Z}}\}## and for the range as ##\text{R}:\{f(x)\,|\,x=\mathbb{R}\(-1,1)\}##.
  • Another participant suggests correcting the domain to express it as ##\text{D}:\{x\,|\,x \ne n\pi,\,n \in{\mathbb{Z}}\}## and questions the range notation, proposing it should reflect ##y \in \mathbb{R}## instead of using ##f(x)##.
  • Further contributions emphasize that the range should be stated as ##\text{R}:\{y\,|\,y \in \mathbb{R} \text{\\} (-1,1)\}##, correcting the earlier use of ##f(x)##.
  • Some participants discuss the use of generic definitions for the range, suggesting that while such definitions are valid, homework problems may require more specific expressions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct notation for the range, with some advocating for a more traditional approach while others suggest flexibility in notation. There is no consensus on a single correct representation, indicating ongoing debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential ambiguities in notation and the importance of clarity in mathematical expressions, particularly in the context of homework assignments.

mcastillo356
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TL;DR
The net is very confusing; the textbooks don't make it easy. Is it right my attempt?
Hi, PF

There are two ways to write domain and range of a function: through set notation, or showing intervals.

I've chosen the set notation, and, for ##y=\csc x##, this is the attempt:

$$\text{D}:\{x\,|\,x\not\in{n\pi},\,n\not\in{\mathbb{Z}}\}$$
$$\text{R}:\{f(x)\,|\,x=\mathbb{R}\(-1,1)\}$$

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You are thinking right. Only your notation has some mistakes.
For ##\mathbf{D}##, try to express it this way: you want all ##x## in ##\mathbb{R}## minus the set {##n\pi |n \in \mathbb{Z}## }
For ##\mathbf{R}##, do you want to restrict the input, ##x##, or the values of the range, ##y##? Instead of ##x = \mathbb{R}## ..., don't you want ##y \in \mathbb{R}## ...? (Of course, you can still use the dummy variable ##x## instead of ##y##, but I think that ##y## is more traditional for some people.)
 
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mcastillo356 said:
I've chosen the set notation, and, for ##y=\csc x##, this is the attempt:

$$\text{D}:\{x\,|\,x\not\in{n\pi},\,n\not\in{\mathbb{Z}}\}$$
$$\text{R}:\{f(x)\,|\,x=\mathbb{R}\(-1,1)\}$$
Better:
##\text{D}:\{x\,|\,x \ne n\pi,\,n \in{\mathbb{Z}}\}##
##\text{R}:\{f(x)\,|\,x \in \mathbb{R} \text{\\} (-1,1)\}##
 
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Mark44 said:
Better:
##\text{D}:\{x\,|\,x \ne n\pi,\,n \in{\mathbb{Z}}\}##
##\text{R}:\{f(x)\,|\,x \in \mathbb{R} \text{\\} (-1,1)\}##
##\text{R}## is wrong. It shouldn't be ##f(x)##. It should just be ##x##.
 
FactChecker said:
##\text{R}## is wrong. It shouldn't be ##f(x)##. It should just be ##x##.
Revised version:
##\text{D}:\{x\,|\,x \in \mathbb R, x \ne n\pi,\,n \in{\mathbb{Z}}\}##
##\text{R}:\{y\,|\,y \in \mathbb{R} \text{\\} (-1,1)\}##
 
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FactChecker said:
##\text{R}## is wrong. It shouldn't be ##f(x)##. It should just be ##x##.

One can write either R = \{ f(x) : x \in D\} or R = \{ y : y \in f(D) \}.
 
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pasmith said:
One can write either R = \{ f(x) : x \in D\} or R = \{ y : y \in f(D) \}.
I would consider that a good generic definition of the range, but I think that a homework problem would want an answer that specifically states the elements of the range without simply using the generic symbol ##f(x)##.
 

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