Is sin(x + y) = 1 a function of x on R?

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SUMMARY

The relation "sin(x + y) = 1" is not a function of x over the real numbers, R. Rearranging the equation yields y = sin-1(1) - x, which implies that for each x, there are infinitely many corresponding y values due to the periodic nature of the sine function. The graph plotted from calculated points appears linear, but this is misleading as it does not satisfy the definition of a function, which requires a unique y for each x.

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Is "sin(x + y) = 1" a function of x on R?

Homework Statement



Determine if the following relation is a function of [itex]x[/itex] on [itex]\mathbb R[/itex]:

[tex]sin(x + y)=1[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



Rearrange to make [itex]y[/itex] the subject:

[tex]y = sin^{-1}(1) - x[/tex]

Then, I simply calculated some points and plotted a graph, which was linear. The points I used:

(-3, 4.57)
(-2, 3.57)
(-1, 2.57)
(0, 1.57)
(1, 0.57)
(2, -0.43)
(3, -1.43)
(4, -2.43)

As you can see, this would produce a linear graph with a gradient of [itex]m = 1[/itex]; however, the solution that has been given states that this is not a function, because for all [itex]x\in\mathbb R[/itex] there exist infinitely many [itex]y[/itex] values.

Appreciate any help in explaining why this is so, as I am stumped :)

Thanks in advance.
 
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CatWhisperer said:

Homework Statement



Determine if the following relation is a function of [itex]x[/itex] on [itex]\mathbb R[/itex]:

[tex]sin(x + y)=1[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



Rearrange to make [itex]y[/itex] the subject:

[tex]y = sin^{-1}(1) - x[/tex]

Then, I simply calculated some points and plotted a graph, which was linear. The points I used:

(-3, 4.57)
(-2, 3.57)
(-1, 2.57)
(0, 1.57)
(1, 0.57)
(2, -0.43)
(3, -1.43)
(4, -2.43)

As you can see, this would produce a linear graph with a gradient of [itex]m = 1[/itex]; however, the solution that has been given states that this is not a function, because for all [itex]x\in\mathbb R[/itex] there exist infinitely many [itex]y[/itex] values.

Appreciate any help in explaining why this is so, as I am stumped :)

Thanks in advance.

For how many values of θ is sin(θ) = 1 ?
 
Or, to elaborate on SammyS's question, if ##x=0## can you find more than one ##y## that works?
 

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