Solving a Quadratic Binom: Who's Right?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the expression $$\sqrt{1-(x^2+1)^2}$$ and its relation to quadratic binomials. Participants explore various approaches to simplifying the expression, addressing domain considerations, and the implications of imaginary numbers. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and homework-related inquiries.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant believes the solution to the expression should be derived from simplifying the quadratic binomial, while another participant suggests their friend's solution of $$-x^2$$ is incorrect.
  • Several participants discuss the need to find the domain or simplify the expression further.
  • Corrections are made regarding the expansion of $$\left(x^2+1\right)^2$$, with one participant acknowledging a mistake in their earlier calculations.
  • There is a suggestion to factor out $$x^2$$ from the expression $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x^2}$$, leading to discussions about the absolute value and the implications of negative terms under the square root.
  • Participants express uncertainty about how to handle the negative term under the square root and whether to consider imaginary numbers in their solutions.
  • One participant states a preference for a solution without imaginary numbers, while another notes the expression is not defined for real numbers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the correct approach to simplifying the expression and whether to include imaginary numbers in their solutions. There is no consensus on a definitive solution, and multiple viewpoints are presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion over the implications of negative values under the square root, and there are unresolved questions about the treatment of imaginary numbers in the context of the problem. The discussion reflects a variety of assumptions and interpretations regarding the mathematical expressions involved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and individuals interested in quadratic expressions, simplification techniques, and the implications of imaginary numbers in mathematical problems.

theakdad
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It was given this term:

$$\sqrt{1-(x^2+1)^2}$$

My friend got the solution $$-x^2$$,but i think he is not right a about that,cause i believe you should first solve the quadratic binom,which is $$x^4+2x+1$$,so my solution is:
$$\sqrt{1-x^4-2x-1}$$ or $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x}$$

Im wondering who is right now,or how to solve this. Thank you!
 
Last edited:
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wishmaster said:
It was given this term:

$$\sqrt{1-(x^2-1)^2}$$

What are you supposed to do? Find the domain? Simplify?
 
MarkFL said:
What are you supposed to do? Find the domain? Simplify?

Simplify,but i have made corrections,so take a look.
 
wishmaster said:
Simplify,but i have made corrections,so take a look.

Actualy,original question was:

$$f(x)=x^2+1$$ and $$g(x)=\sqrt{1-x^2}$$

Find the composition $$(g\circ f)(x)$$
 
wishmaster said:
Actualy,original question was:

$$f(x)=x^2+1$$ and $$g(x)=\sqrt{1-x^2}$$

Find the composition $$(g\circ f)(x)$$

$$(g\circ f)(x)=g\left(f(x) \right)=\sqrt{1-\left(x^2+1 \right)^2}$$

Can you finish?
 
MarkFL said:
$$(g\circ f)(x)=g\left(f(x) \right)=\sqrt{1-\left(x^2+1 \right)^2}$$

Can you finish?

As i wrote:

$$\sqrt{1-(x^4+2x+1)}$$ which is $$\sqrt{1-x^4-2x-1}$$.equals to $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x}$$ or am i wrong?
 
wishmaster said:
As i wrote:

$$\sqrt{1-(x^4+2x+1)}$$ which is $$\sqrt{1-x^4-2x-1}$$.equals to $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x}$$ or am i wrong?

Check your expansion of:

$$\left(x^2+1 \right)^2$$
 
MarkFL said:
Check your expansion of:

$$\left(x^2+1 \right)^2$$

$$x^4+2x^2+1$$ ??

ok,i have missed a power on $$2x$$

but then comes $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x^2}$$ I think i can't simplify that...or?
 
Last edited:
wishmaster said:
$$x^4+2x^2+1$$ ??

ok,i have missed a power on $$2x$$

but then comes $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x^2}$$ I think i can't simplify that...or?

You can simplify it if you take out a factor of \displaystyle \begin{align*} x^2 \end{align*} and remember that \displaystyle \begin{align*} \sqrt{x^2} = |x| \end{align*}.
 
  • #10
Prove It said:
You can simplify it if you take out a factor of \displaystyle \begin{align*} x^2 \end{align*} and remember that \displaystyle \begin{align*} \sqrt{x^2} = |x| \end{align*}.

So then:

$$\sqrt{-x^2(x^2+2)}$$
or $$x\sqrt{x^2+2}$$ ??
 
  • #11
wishmaster said:
So then:

$$\sqrt{-x^2(x^2+2)}$$

Yes

or $$x\sqrt{x^2+2}$$ ??

Definitely not! Did you not read my previous post? Also, where have the negatives gone inside your square root?
 
  • #12
Can you show me how?
 
Last edited:
  • #13
wishmaster said:
Can u show me how?

Hi wishmaster!

I don't know who "u" is, but maybe "you" can find him for us ;).

Try it this way. We have $\displaystyle \sqrt{-x^2(x^2+2)}$. Let's distribute the negative first. This becomes $\displaystyle \sqrt{x^2(2-x^2)}$. What about now?

EDIT: Should be $\displaystyle \sqrt{x^2(-2-x^2)}$ as Pranav states below.
 
  • #14
Jameson said:
Try it this way. We have $\displaystyle \sqrt{-x^2(x^2+2)}$. Let's distribute the negative first. This becomes $\displaystyle \sqrt{x^2(2-x^2)}$. What about now?

I guess you meant $\displaystyle \sqrt{x^2(-2-x^2)}$. :rolleyes:
 
  • #15
Jameson said:
Hi wishmaster!

I don't know who "u" is, but maybe "you" can find him for us ;).

Try it this way. We have $\displaystyle \sqrt{-x^2(x^2+2)}$. Let's distribute the negative first. This becomes $\displaystyle \sqrt{x^2(2-x^2)}$. What about now?
I apologize for "u",i know the rules,but sometimes i forget...sorry-1

And now I am stuck with this term...
 
  • #16
Pranav said:
I guess you meant $\displaystyle \sqrt{x^2(-2-x^2)}$.

wishmaster said:
I apologize for "u",i know the rules,but sometimes i forget...sorry-1

And now I am stuck with this term...

Consider that generally:
\begin{array}{lcl}
\sqrt{a \cdot b} &=& \sqrt a \cdot \sqrt b \\
\sqrt{a^2} &=& |a|
\end{array}
Can you apply those rules and bring $|x|$ properly outside the square root?

There is one more step that I'll get to after this one.
 
  • #17
Pranav said:
I guess you meant $\displaystyle \sqrt{x^2(-2-x^2)}$. :rolleyes:

Doh! You're quite right. That'll teach me to do math just after waking up.
 
  • #18
I like Serena said:
Consider that generally:
\begin{array}{lcl}
\sqrt{a \cdot b} &=& \sqrt a \cdot \sqrt b \\
\sqrt{a^2} &=& |a|
\end{array}
Can you apply those rules and bring $|x|$ properly outside the square root?

There is one more step that I'll get to after this one.

$$x\sqrt{-2-x^2}$$
 
  • #19
wishmaster said:
$$x\sqrt{-2-x^2}$$

That should be $|x| \sqrt{-2-x^2}$.
Not sure why you would leave out the absolute value symbols.
Oh. Perhaps you do not know what those are?

Let me clarify.
The absolute value of a number x is the magnitude of that number.
One might also say: the number without its sign.
It is written as $|x|$ and can be defined as:
$$|x| = \begin{cases} x & \text{if } x \ge 0 \\ -x & \text{if } x < 0 \end{cases}$$Moving on.
Are you aware that a square like $x^2$ is always either positive or zero, but cannot be negative?
And that therefore $-2-x^2$ is always negative?
 
  • #20
I like Serena said:
That should be $|x| \sqrt{-2-x^2}$.
Not sure why you would leave out the absolute value symbols.
Oh. Perhaps you do not know what those are?

Let me clarify.
The absolute value of a number x is the magnitude of that number.
One might also say: the number without its sign.
It is written as $|x|$ and can be defined as:
$$|x| = \begin{cases} x & \text{if } x \ge 0 \\ -x & \text{if } x < 0 \end{cases}$$Moving on.
Are you aware that a square like $x^2$ is always either positive or zero, but cannot be negative?
And that therefore $-2-x^2$ is always negative?

yes,i understand the absolute value,so i forgot to put it in the brackets...
But what can i do now with the term under root?
 
  • #21
wishmaster said:
But what can i do now with the term under root?

Are you aware it is always negative?
 
  • #22
To maybe add onto I like Serena's above post, are you familiar with the idea of imaginary numbers? Are you supposed to use the fact that $\sqrt{-1}=i$?
 
  • #23
Jameson said:
To maybe add onto I like Serena's above post, are you familiar with the idea of imaginary numbers? Are you supposed to use the fact that $\sqrt{-1}=i$?

Solution should be without imaginary numbers.
Anyway, i have no time,i have only one hour left to submit the result...
Thank you all for help!
 
  • #24
wishmaster said:
Solution should be without imaginary numbers.
Anyway, i have no time,i have only one hour left to submit the result...
Thank you all for help!

So close...
 
  • #25
I like Serena said:
So close...

i will just put that solution is $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x^2}$$, better, not defined for real numbers.
 
  • #26
wishmaster said:
i will just put that solution is $$\sqrt{-2x^4-2x^2}$$, better, not defined for real numbers.

If you mention the formula, perhaps you want to mention $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x^2}$$ instead.
But yeah, the real answer is that it is not defined for real numbers.
 
  • #27
I like Serena said:
If you mention the formula, perhaps you want to mention $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x^2}$$ instead.
But yeah, the real answer is that it is not defined for real numbers.

Sorry,was my mistake with $$-2x^4$$

I have written that the composition is not defined in real numbers.
Thank you all for the help! Hope i get 100% for homework!
 

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