Discrete math textbook problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the domain and image of two mathematical functions, f and g. For the function f defined as f(x) = {(x,y) ∈ R × R | x = √(y+3)}, the domain is {x | x ∈ R, x ≥ 0} and the image is {y | y ∈ R, y ≥ -3}. For the function g, defined as g = { (α,β) | α is a person, β is a person, α is the father of β}, the domain consists of all fathers and the image includes all people. The participants express confusion regarding the definitions but arrive at consistent conclusions about the relationships.

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Homework Statement


find the domain and image of f such that
f(x) = {(x,y) [tex]\in R \times R \vert x = \sqrt{y+3}[/tex]
and domain and image of g such that
g = {[tex](\alpha,\beta) \vert \alpha is a person, \beta is a person, \alpha is the father of \beta[/tex]


Homework Equations


the domain and image are what would be expected of domain and image. No unstandard definitions.



The Attempt at a Solution


I think the answers in the back of the book are wrong. I will state my answers, the ones in the book have the opposite for domain and range (although it is a copyright 2009 book). It is also possible that I am wrong.

okay for f, the function can be rewritten by substituing [tex]\sqrt{y+3}[/tex] for x.Then ,
f = {[tex](\sqrt{y+3},y) \vert y \in R[/tex]. This means that the domain will consist of values that are bigger or equal to -3. So, [tex]dom f = \{x \vert x \in R , x \geq -3 \}[/tex]. And following that, the image of f is the set of values that are greater than or equal to zero. [tex]I am f = \{y \vert y \in R, y \geq 0 \}[/tex].


For the second one. The domain is all people who are fathers, and the image is all people.(assuming that any person has a father where father denotes only a biological relationship).

Any suggestions?
 
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For the first problem, and assuming that by domain the text's author means the set of x values, x has to be >= 0. The range is {y >= -3}.
 
Mark44 said:
For the first problem, and assuming that by domain the text's author means the set of x values, x has to be >= 0. The range is {y >= -3}.

Ah yes, because [tex]x = \sqrt{y+3}[/tex], it would be impossible to have an x that is negative. Although, in case y is as small as possible, x can be zero. Thus, x >= 0. Now on the case of y, flip the radical and get that y = x^2 - 3. x >= 0, thus y >= -3. I see, I guess I fell into the trap the author wanted me to fall into.

Now for the second one. Was I wrong here too? I think I am right, but now I am confused?
let P = the set of all people
let R(a,b) be the relation that a is the father of b.

g = [tex]\{ (\alpha,\beta) \vert \alpha,\beta \in P, R(\alpha,\beta) \}[/tex]

The domain of the function g should be the set of all people who are fathers. The image should be the set of all people who have fathers, in other words, all people. Is this correct?
 

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