Half Comes From Where? Understanding the Origin of 1/2
- Context: High School
- Thread starter waqarrashid33
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around understanding how the value of 1/2 is derived in the context of integrals, particularly involving the function 1 + cos(2t). Participants explore various approaches to solving the integral and simplifying the resulting expressions, with a focus on limits and anti-derivatives.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Mathematical reasoning
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant asks how the value of 1/2 is derived from the integral, prompting others to suggest solving the integral of 1 + cos(2t) and simplifying the limit.
- Another participant mentions that the integral of 1 + cos(2t) results in 2T + sin(2T), indicating potential confusion due to a lack of recent calculus practice.
- Some participants propose that the improper integral can be solved by expanding into F(T) - F(-T) and collecting constants, leading to a limit expression as T approaches infinity.
- A later reply suggests that the value of 1/2 can be obtained for any T ≠ 0, challenging the necessity of taking the limit as T approaches infinity.
- Another participant counters this by stating that the expression simplifies to 1/2 only under specific conditions related to the limit, particularly when a approaches infinity.
- There is a discussion about the integration of cos^2(t) and how it relates to the expression for 1/2, with participants correcting each other's mathematical steps and clarifying misunderstandings regarding signs in the sine function.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on whether the limit is necessary to derive the value of 1/2, indicating a lack of consensus on the approach to solving the integral and the conditions under which the value holds.
Contextual Notes
Some participants express uncertainty about their mathematical manipulations and the implications of limits, highlighting potential gaps in understanding or assumptions made during the discussion.
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