Finding domain when using continuity to evaluate a limit

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the domain of a mathematical expression involving absolute values and inequalities. Participants explore the implications of continuity and the correct interpretation of set notation in the context of limits and inequalities.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion regarding the simultaneous truth of inequalities such as ##x ≥ 1 - \sqrt{5}## and ##x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1##.
  • There is a mention of the importance of understanding unions and intersections in set notation, with some participants suggesting that the confusion arises from misinterpreting "and" versus "or" in the context of inequalities.
  • One participant clarifies that the expression ##|x - 1| \ge \sqrt{5}## leads to two separate conditions: ##x - 1 \le -\sqrt{5}## or ##x - 1 \ge \sqrt{5}##, which translates to ##x \le 1 - \sqrt{5}## or ##x \ge 1 + \sqrt{5}##.
  • Another participant points out a mistake in the original interpretation of the inequalities and suggests that a better understanding of absolute values is necessary for resolving the confusion.
  • There are references to the correct notation for expressing the domain in both set-builder and interval notation, but the discussion remains focused on the participants' understanding of these concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to clarify the interpretation of inequalities and set notation, but there is no consensus on the correct domain or the resolution of the initial confusion regarding the inequalities.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings of mathematical notation, the need for clarity on the distinction between unions and intersections, and the participants' varying levels of familiarity with the concepts discussed.

member 731016
For this problem,
1678308214787.png

1678308199833.png

The solution is,
1678308248087.png

However, when I tried finding the domain myself:

## { x | x - 1 ≥ \sqrt{5}} ## (Sorry, for some reason the brackets are not here)
##{ x | x - 1 ≥ -\sqrt{5}} ## and ## { x | x - 1 ≥ \sqrt{5}}##
##{x | x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5} }## and ## { x | x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1}##

However, I don't understand how ##x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5}## and ##x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1## can both be true. Because of that, I also don't understand how they got the domain.

Many thanks!
 
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Callumnc1 said:
However, I don't understand how ##x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5}## and ##x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1## can both be true.
You need to know your unions from your intersections.
 
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Callumnc1 said:
However, I don't understand how ##x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5}## and ##x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1## can both be true. Because of that, I also don't understand how they got the domain.

Many thanks!

If |x| = 5, are both x = 5 and x = -5 true simultaneously?
 
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PeroK said:
You need to know your unions from your intersections.
Thank you for your reply @PeroK!

I kind of remember, but it was from over a year ago now.

Many thanks!
 
pasmith said:
If |x| = 5, are both x = 5 and x = -5 true simultaneously?
Thank you for your reply @pasmith!

Yes I believe so (if we sub the values of x into the absolute value function).

Many thanks!
 
Callumnc1 said:
Thank you for your reply @pasmith!

Yes I believe so (if we sub the values of x into the absolute value function).

Many thanks!

No, exactly one of those is true; x cannot satisfy both x = 5 and x = -5 simultaneously, because -5 \neq 5. But |x| = 5 will be true if either of those statements is true. Thus \{x : |x| = 5\} = \{-5\} \cup \{5\} = \{-5,5\}. How would you apply that logic to your problem?
 
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pasmith said:
No, exactly one of those is true; x cannot satisfy both x = 5 and x = -5 simultaneously, because -5 \neq 5. But |x| = 5 will be true if either of those statements is true. Thus \{x : |x| = 5\} = \{-5\} \cup \{5\} = \{-5,5\}. How would you apply that logic to your problem?
Thank you for your reply @pasmith !

I will do some hard thinking and get back to you.

Many thanks!
 
Callumnc1 said:
For this problem,
View attachment 323369
View attachment 323368
The solution is,
View attachment 323370
However, when I tried finding the domain myself:

## \{ x | x - 1 ≥ \sqrt{5}\} ## (Sorry, for some reason the brackets are not here) Now fixed..
##\{ x | x - 1 ≥ -\sqrt{5}\} ## and ## \{ x | x - 1 ≥ \sqrt{5}\}##
##\{x | x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5} \}## and ## \{ x | x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1\}##

However, I don't understand how ##x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5}## and ##x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1## can both be true. Because of that, I also don't understand how they got the domain.
1. The reason the braces disappeared is that they are special characters in TeX that are used for multiple purposes (e.g., exponents, fractions, subscripts, etc.). If you need to display a left or right brace, precede it with a slash. That's what I did for the brace pairs in what you wrote above.
2. As already mentioned, the author did not write ##x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5}## and ##x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1##. The symbol they used was ##\cup## or union, which corresponds to "or" not "and."
 
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Mark44 said:
1. The reason the braces disappeared is that they are special characters in TeX that are used for multiple purposes (e.g., exponents, fractions, subscripts, etc.). If you need to display a left or right brace, precede it with a slash. That's what I did for the brace pairs in what you wrote above.
2. As already mentioned, the author did not write ##x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5}## and ##x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1##. The symbol they used was ##\cup## or union, which corresponds to "or" not "and."
Aah, ok. Thank you for your reply @Mark44!

I'll do some more thinking.

Many thanks!
 
  • #10
Callumnc1 said:
Aah, ok. Thank you for your reply @Mark44!

I'll do some more thinking.

Many thanks!
What is it that you are thinking about ?
 
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  • #11
Callumnc1 said:
However, when I tried finding the domain myself:
## { x | x - 1 ≥ \sqrt{5}} ## (Sorry, for some reason the brackets are not here)
##{ x | x - 1 ≥ -\sqrt{5}} ## and ## { x | x - 1 ≥ \sqrt{5}}##
##{x | x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5} }## and ## { x | x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1}##

However, I don't understand how ##x ≥ 1 -\sqrt{5}## and ##x ≥ \sqrt{5} + 1## can both be true.
You have another mistake that I didn't notice while I was focused on your difficulties with LaTeX and confusion about the union vs. intersection of two sets.

Starting with ##|x - 1| \ge \sqrt 5##,
This means that ##x - 1 \le -\sqrt 5## OR ##x - 1 \ge \sqrt 5##
##\Rightarrow x \le 1 - \sqrt 5## OR ##x \ge 1 + \sqrt 5##.

The second line of your work above that I quoted is incorrect because you have not correctly rewritten the inequality with an absolute value to get rid of the absolute value. Again, this is stuff that is usually presented in precalculus classes. Until you get a better grip on these basics, you are going to continue to have problems with more advanced topics.

The last pair of inequalities that I wrote can be written in set-builder notation like so:
##\{x | (-\infty < x \le 1 - \sqrt 5) \cup (1 + \sqrt 5 \le x < \infty)\}##

or in interval notation like this:
##x \in (-\infty, 1 - \sqrt 5] \cup [1 + \sqrt 5, \infty)##.
 
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  • #12
SammyS said:
What is it that you are thinking about ?
Thank you for your reply @SammyS!

I am just thinking more about it before I ask questions.

Many thanks!
 
  • #13
Mark44 said:
You have another mistake that I didn't notice while I was focused on your difficulties with LaTeX and confusion about the union vs. intersection of two sets.

Starting with ##|x - 1| \ge \sqrt 5##,
This means that ##x - 1 \le -\sqrt 5## OR ##x - 1 \ge \sqrt 5##
##\Rightarrow x \le 1 - \sqrt 5## OR ##x \ge 1 + \sqrt 5##.

The second line of your work above that I quoted is incorrect because you have not correctly rewritten the inequality with an absolute value to get rid of the absolute value. Again, this is stuff that is usually presented in precalculus classes. Until you get a better grip on these basics, you are going to continue to have problems with more advanced topics.

The last pair of inequalities that I wrote can be written in set-builder notation like so:
##\{x | (-\infty < x \le 1 - \sqrt 5) \cup (1 + \sqrt 5 \le x < \infty)\}##

or in interval notation like this:
##x \in (-\infty, 1 - \sqrt 5] \cup [1 + \sqrt 5, \infty)##.
Thank your reply @Mark44!

I will review that notation more.

Many thanks!
 

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