Solving a Quadratic Binom: Who's Right?

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The discussion centers on solving the expression $$\sqrt{1-(x^2+1)^2}$$, which simplifies to $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x^2}$$. Participants clarify that the expression is not defined for real numbers due to the presence of a negative under the square root. The correct approach involves recognizing that $$\sqrt{-x^4-2x^2}$$ leads to imaginary numbers, which the original poster wishes to avoid. Ultimately, the conclusion is that the composition is not defined in the realm of real numbers.

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  • Familiarity with square root properties and absolute values
  • Knowledge of imaginary numbers and their implications in mathematical expressions
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  • Study the properties of imaginary numbers and their applications in complex analysis
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Students in algebra, mathematicians dealing with complex numbers, and anyone studying function composition and polynomial equations will benefit from this discussion.

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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?
 
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  • #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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