Solve f(x)=sin(x/2): Find Roots, POI, Min, Max

  • Thread starter Thread starter frenkie
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the equation f(x) = sin(x/2) to find its roots, points of inflection (POI), and local minima and maxima. Participants clarify that the roots occur at x = nπ, where n is an integer, indicating an infinite number of roots. The first derivative, f'(x) = (1/2)cos(x/2), and the second derivative, f''(x) = -(1/4)sin(x/2), are essential for determining the function's behavior, including intervals of increase, decrease, and concavity. The end behavior of the function approaches 1 and -1 as x approaches positive and negative infinity, respectively.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of trigonometric functions, specifically sine and cosine.
  • Knowledge of calculus concepts, including derivatives and critical points.
  • Familiarity with the unit circle and periodic functions.
  • Ability to perform algebraic manipulations and solve equations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of the sine function and its periodicity.
  • Learn how to apply the first and second derivative tests for finding extrema.
  • Explore the concept of points of inflection and their significance in graphing functions.
  • Practice solving trigonometric equations analytically without a calculator.
USEFUL FOR

Students in calculus or trigonometry courses, educators teaching these subjects, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of trigonometric functions and their applications in calculus.

  • #31
frenkie said:
I don't know why there is a 2 and a 4 at the end and a -1 in front...i know that sinx=cosx and that cosx=-sinx..?

NO!

It is absolutely not true that

sin(x) = cos(x) for all x.

or

cos(x) = -sin(x) for all x.

Do you understand what the problem is with what you wrote.

However it is true that the first derivative of sin(x) is equal to cos(x) and that the first derivative of cos(x) is equal to -sin(x).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
frenkie said:
I don't know why there is a 2 and a 4 at the end and a -1 in front...

I gave you the differentiation rules. Have you tried to use them? If so then present your work and we'll show you what's wrong with it.

i know that sinx=cosx and that cosx=-sinx..?

No. Put a derivative operator in front of the left side of each of those equations, and then they will become true.
 
  • #33
how do you find end behavior of the function sin(x/2)
 
  • #34
frenkie said:
how do you find end behavior of the function sin(x/2)

What do you know about the function y = sin(x)?

Surely the behavior of y = sin(x/2) should be similar..
 
  • #35
end behavior is a straight line going to negative and positive infinity?
 
  • #36
frenkie said:
end behavior is a straight line going to negative and positive infinity?

What are you talking about? What does the graph of the function y = sin(x) look like?
 
  • #37
its an even graph going up to 1 and down to -1...
 
  • #38
No, it's not. Since your idea of solving math problems appears to be punching calculator keys, more or less at random, how about graphing sin(x) on a calculator and looking at it?
 
  • #39
As a follow-up to Halls' suggestion, let Xmin=-20, Xmax=20, Ymin=-1, Ymax=1 (on the Window menu).

What does the graph tell you?
 
  • #40
it tells you that the roots of sin(x/2) are at -2Pi, o and 2Pi? this is HARD!
 
  • #41
frenkie said:
it tells you that the roots of sin(x/2) are at -2Pi, o and 2Pi? this is HARD!

Yes... But there are a lot more zeros than that... What do you know about the sine function?
 
  • #42
well its an even function...limits at negative and positive infinity...root at zero? what do u mean when u say there are a lot more zeros?
 
  • #43
frenkie said:
well its an even function...limits at negative and positive infinity...root at zero? what do u mean when u say there are a lot more zeros?

How can you be asking these questions when you are supposed to be finding the extrema of this function? Surely you must be in a calculus class, and in my experience most calculus classes require some prerequisite knowledge of trigonometry and trigonometric functions. You do realize that the sine funtion is a trigonometric fundtion right?

Next, What does it mean mathematically for a function to be even? Because f(x) = sin(x) is absolutely not an even function.

If a function is even it satisfies the following equlity.
f(x) = f(-x)
graphically this means that the function is symmetric about the y axis.

I have no clue what you mean by "limits at positive and negative infinity" because you give no context for them in the post I have quoted.

And when I say there are a lot more than three zeros, I specifically mean that there are an infinite number of zeros for the function y = sin(x/2) just as there are of the function y = sin(x). If you do not know this you are in no position to be speaking of the limits as x goes to positive or negative infinity, or finding the local extrema of this function. I suggest that you do a bit of research on the sine function before you make any more attempts at this problem.
 
  • #44
can u tell me what is greater then 2Pi on a unit circle? please. that's what i need to know.
 
  • #45
frenkie said:
can u tell me what is greater then 2Pi on a unit circle? please. that's what i need to know.

What are you talking about?
 
  • #46
what is greater then 2Pi on a unit circle? it has nothing to do with this problem, i just need to know.
 
  • #47
what is greater then 2Pi on a unit circle? it has nothing to do with this problem i just need to know.
 
  • #48
frenkie said:
what is greater then 2Pi on a unit circle? it has nothing to do with this problem, i just need to know.

It would really help if you would give some context as to what you are talking about, however I would suppose that 3pi, 4pi, 5pi, 1729pi etc.. would all be greater that 2pi...
 
  • #49
You are trying to do Calculus problems when you cannot do basic algebra or even arthmetic. I strongly urge you to go to your teacher. You have far worse problems than we can help you with.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
6K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K