Exercise about the concept of functions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an exercise related to the concept of functions, specifically focusing on expressing the area of geometric shapes (a square and a circle) as functions of their dimensions (side length, perimeter, and circumference). Participants seek clarification on how these relationships illustrate the concept of functions.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how to express the area of a square as a function of its side length and perimeter, as well as the area of a circle as a function of its circumference.
  • Another participant provides the formulas for the area and perimeter of a square (A = x², P = 4x) and the area and circumference of a circle (A = πr², C = 2πr), suggesting that these are known definitions.
  • There is a suggestion to solve for the side length x in terms of the perimeter P and substitute it into the area formula for the square, and similarly for the circle.
  • A participant questions how these exercises relate to the concept of functions, indicating a lack of understanding of the dependency aspect of functions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the formulas for area and perimeter but there is uncertainty regarding the connection of these formulas to the concept of functions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the conceptual understanding of functions in this context.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion about the definitions and relationships involved in the exercise, indicating a need for further clarification on the concept of functions as it applies to these geometric formulas.

Nich6ls
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Hi everyone! =) . I'm having some issues with this exercises, It's about functions. I remember the basic geometrics formulas and how to get the area and perimeter of a square or a circle but I don't get it. I need an explanation.

1. Express the area A of a square as a function of (a) the length of one side x; (b) the perimeter p.
2.Express the area A of a circle as a function of its circumference c.

Answers:

1.
(a) \[ A= x^2 \] (b)\[ A= P^2/16 \]
2.
\[ A= c^2/4π \]

Thank you, stay safe! =)
 
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[math]A = x^2[/math] and [math]P = 4x[/math]. So solve for x and put it into A.

Now do the same for [math]A = \pi r^2[/math] and [math] C = 2 \pi r[/math].

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
[math]A = x^2[/math] and [math]P = 4x[/math]. So solve for x and put it into A.

Now do the same for [math]A = \pi r^2[/math] and [math] C = 2 \pi r[/math].

-Dan

Those are the answers the book gives, how did you get to them? An explanation I need.
 
Nich6ls said:
Those are the answers the book gives, how did you get to them? An explanation I need.
Are you asking about the area formulas? What's the area of a square with a side x? It's defined as [math]A = x^2[/math]. What's the perimeter? It's a "line" P = x + x + x + x = 4x long. For the area and circumference of a circle, the formulas are as I gave above. These are known formulas and if someone were to ask how to explain them you would either have to say they are definitions, or that you will have to wait until a "higher" Math level has been reached.
Square: [math]A = x^2[/math], [math]P = 4x[/math].

Circle: [math]A = \pi r^2[/math], [math]C = 2 \pi r[/math].

Take these formulas as givens. For the square solve the perimeter equation for x in terms of P and sub into the area equation. For the circle solve the circumference equation for r in terms of C and sub into the area equation.

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
Are you asking about the area formulas? What's the area of a square with a side x? It's defined as [math]A = x^2[/math]. What's the perimeter? It's a "line" P = x + x + x + x = 4x long. For the area and circumference of a circle, the formulas are as I gave above. These are known formulas and if someone were to ask how to explain them you would either have to say they are definitions, or that you will have to wait until a "higher" Math level has been reached.
Square: [math]A = x^2[/math], [math]P = 4x[/math].

Circle: [math]A = \pi r^2[/math], [math]C = 2 \pi r[/math].

Take these formulas as givens. For the square solve the perimeter equation for x in terms of P and sub into the area equation. For the circle solve the circumference equation for r in terms of C and sub into the area equation.

-Dan

Thank you Dan, what I don't understand is how these exercises are related to functions. I understand that it's something that depends on something else, but I'm not sure, sorry I just started with this today.
 

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