Solving Equations with Integer Solutions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the domain of functions involving the greatest integer function and fractional part function, as well as solving equations that incorporate these functions. The subject area includes mathematical reasoning and function analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the conditions under which the functions are defined, particularly focusing on the behavior of the greatest integer function and fractional part function across different intervals.
  • There are attempts to analyze specific cases for the values of x, questioning how these functions behave for integers and non-integers.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about their approaches and seek clarification on how to derive values from their findings.
  • Discussion includes checking specific intervals and the implications of periodicity in the fractional part function.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and suggestions for analyzing the functions. Some have made progress in determining the domain for certain functions, while others are still grappling with the implications of their findings. There is a collaborative effort to clarify misunderstandings and explore different approaches.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is also a focus on ensuring that the solutions adhere to the specified domain restrictions.

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Homework Statement



Find the domain of following functions : Note: [.] denotes greatest integer function. {.} denotes fractional part of a function.

1. f(x)=sin-1([x]/{x})

2. √(2{x}2-3{x}+1)

3. Solve the equation :

y=[sinx+[sinx+[sinx]]]/3
[y+[y]]=2cosx

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



1. For this function to exist,

-1≤[x]/{x}≤1
As 0≤{x}<1

-{x}≤[x]≤{x}
Now [x]=x-{x}

So

0≤x≤2{x}

Now ??

2. For this to exist,

2{x}2-3{x}+1≥0

From here I found values of {x} but to no avail.

3. I do not know how to proceed. :(

Please help !

Thanks in advance... :smile:
 
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sankalpmittal said:

Homework Statement



Find the domain of following functions : Note: [.] denotes greatest integer function. {.} denotes fractional part of a function.

1. f(x)=sin-1([x]/{x})

2. √(2{x}2-3{x}+1)

3. Solve the equation :

y=[sinx+[sinx+[sinx]]]/3
[y+[y]]=2cosx

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



1. For this function to exist,

-1≤[x]/{x}≤1
As 0≤{x}<1

-{x}≤[x]≤{x}
Now [x]=x-{x}

So

0≤x≤2{x}

Now ??

2. For this to exist,

2{x}2-3{x}+1≥0

From here I found values of {x} but to no avail.

3. I do not know how to proceed. :(

Please help !

Thanks in advance... :smile:

For the first question, it is obvious that it is not defined for integers.

I am unsure what would be the best approach. I would begin with considering different intervals for x. Check what happens to the ratio when 0<x<1, check similarly for 1<x<2 and others.
 
Pranav-Arora said:
For the first question, it is obvious that it is not defined for integers.

I am unsure what would be the best approach. I would begin with considering different intervals for x. Check what happens to the ratio when 0<x<1, check similarly for 1<x<2 and others.

As per you the domain should be all fractions. But this is not true for negatives, as for the the greatest integer function "back-shifts".

So what is wrong in my approach ?

-1≤[x]/{x}≤1
As 0≤{x}<1

-{x}≤[x]≤{x}
Now [x]=x-{x}

So

0≤x≤2{x}

and

0≤2{x}<2
 
sankalpmittal said:
As per you the domain should be all fractions. But this is not true for negatives, as for the the greatest integer function "back-shifts".
Nope, I never said that. I asked you to check for 0<x<1. I already know what happens in the case when -1<x<0.
So what is wrong in my approach ?

Not sure but it is usually a good idea to check specific intervals when you have to deal with these kind of functions.
 
Pranav-Arora said:
Nope, I never said that. I asked you to check for 0<x<1. I already know what happens in the case when -1<x<0. Not sure but it is usually a good idea to check specific intervals when you have to deal with these kind of functions.

Case I: Does not work for integers.

Case II: Non integers.

Ok I considered 2 intervals.

at 0<x<1

at 1<x<2

And I got the answers. But I still can not get the actual mathematical procedure except plotting graph. I must wait till morning for more replies regarding first question.

Anyone else ?
 
sankalpmittal said:

Homework Statement



Find the domain of following functions : Note: [.] denotes greatest integer function. {.} denotes fractional part of a function.

1. f(x)=sin-1([x]/{x})

2. √(2{x}2-3{x}+1)

3. Solve the equation :

y=[sinx+[sinx+[sinx]]]/3
[y+[y]]=2cosx

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



1. For this function to exist,

-1≤[x]/{x}≤1
As 0≤{x}<1

-{x}≤[x]≤{x}

Therefore
<br /> -1 &lt; -\{x\} \leq [x] \leq \{x\} &lt; 1<br />
 
pasmith said:
Therefore
<br /> -1 &lt; -\{x\} \leq [x] \leq \{x\} &lt; 1<br />

And hence from here, taking [x]=x-{x}

−1+{x}<0≤x≤2{x}<1+{x}

And so,

How can I get the values of x from here ? Thanks till now.

Edit: From this:

1+{x} is from [1,2). If x is always less than this, then x<1. Now x>{x}-1. {x}-1 is from [-1,0). If x be always greater than this, it has to be x>0. Hence combining the two, we get,

0<x<1

Which is the correct answer. Thanks to both the posters ! :)

Now for the second question ?
 
Last edited:
I give my attempt of second question a step forward :

2{x}2-3{x}+1≥0
2{x}2-2{x}-{x}+1≥0
(2{x}-1)({x}-1)≥0

So by method of intervals,
{x}≥1 OR {x}≤1/2
Also we know that,

0≤{x}<1

So using these two conditions, how to find for the values of x ? Please help !
 
sankalpmittal said:
I give my attempt of second question a step forward :

2{x}2-3{x}+1≥0
2{x}2-2{x}-{x}+1≥0
(2{x}-1)({x}-1)≥0

So by method of intervals,
{x}≥1 OR {x}≤1/2
Also we know that,

0≤{x}<1

So using these two conditions, how to find for the values of x ? Please help !

So what is the range of {x}?
 
  • #10
Pranav-Arora said:
So what is the range of {x}?

Why, for this question it is, 0≤{x}≤1/2...

So what will be the values of x corresponding to this ?
 
  • #11
sankalpmittal said:
Why, for this question it is, 0≤{x}≤1/2...
Yes. :)
So what will be the values of x corresponding to this ?

{x} is periodic with period of 1, does that help?

Sketch a graph if that helps.
 
  • #12
Pranav-Arora said:
Yes. :)

Well good to know.. :)


{x} is periodic with period of 1, does that help?

Well I already know that. For all xεR, 0≤{x}<1
Now here we have 0≤{x}≤0.5. Making use of the knowledge that {x} has period 1, we can say that domain of x is,

xε[0,0.5]U[1,1.5]U[2,2.5],... it will keep moving on...U(0,-0.5]U[-1,-1.5]U...and so on...
But this is not the answer ! :(

Sketch a graph if that helps.

...Does not give answer... :(
 
  • #13
sankalpmittal said:
xε[0,0.5]U[1,1.5]U[2,2.5],... it will keep moving on...U(0,-0.5]U[-1,-1.5]U...and so on..
A much better way to write the above is
$$x \in \left[ m,m+\frac{1}{2} \right] \,\, \forall \,\, m \in \mathbb{Z}$$

EDIT: How do you get [-0.5,0]? What is the value of, say, {-0.1}?
But this is not the answer ! :(

What is the answer then?
 
Last edited:
  • #14
Pranav-Arora said:
A much better way to write the above is
$$x \in \left[ m,m+\frac{1}{2} \right] \,\, \forall \,\, m \in \mathbb{Z}$$

EDIT: How do you get [-0.5,0]? What is the value of, say, {-0.1}?


What is the answer then?

Sorry for my haste. The question explicitly stated that we have to restrict domain in [-1,1].
So we have,

x∈[m,m+1/2]∀m∈Z

putting, m=-1 and 0, m=1 lies outside [-1,1].

x∈[-1,-1/2]U[0,1/2]U{1}∀m∈Z , as 1 alone also satisfies the function.

Now can you give me a start for the third question ?
 
  • #15
sankalpmittal said:
Now can you give me a start for the third question ?

I am not entirely sure if there is a "proper" way to do it but currently, I cannot find a better method than checking the cases.

Look at the second equation, the left side is an integer so the right side must be also an integer.

The possible values the right side can have is -2,-1,0,1,2. When 2cosx=0, then sin(x)=1. Substitute this in the first equation and you get y=1. Check if this y satisfies the second equation. We find that when y=1, [y+[y]]=2 but right side is zero so there is no value of x satisfying this condition.

Similarly check for other cases.

Does the question restricts the domain? Can you re-check with the source?
 

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