Trigonometric function with specific properties

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The discussion centers on finding a trigonometric function f(theta) that satisfies f(Pi-theta) = -f(theta) and has its square, f(theta)^2, maximized at Pi/2. It is concluded that if f(Pi-theta) = -f(theta), then f(Pi/2) must equal zero, leading to the trivial solution f(theta) = 0 for all theta. The possibility of f being infinite at Pi/2 is dismissed since it is defined as a wave function in a physics context. The conversation briefly explores the sine function, noting that sin(Pi-theta) = -sin(theta) and that sin(x)^2 does have maxima at Pi/2. Ultimately, the participants confirm that no non-trivial solutions exist under the given constraints.
Physicslad78
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Is there any trigonometric function f(theta) where theta is an angle such that

f(Pi-theta)=-f(theta) and such that its square (i.e f(theta)^2) is maximum at Pi/2?


Thanks
 
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try theta = PI/2

then f(PI-(PI/2)) = f(PI/2)

so:

if f(PI-theta)=-f(theta) for all theta, then f(PI/2) must equal zero.

and you also said that:

f(PI/2)^2 is its maximum. but f(PI/2)^2 is 0.

so f(theta) = zero, for all theta. A boring and useless function.

edit: Presuming f(theta) cannot be infinite
 
Last edited:
Hi Physicslad78! Hi Georgepowell! :smile:

(have a pi: π and a theta: θ :wink:)
Physicslad78 said:
Is there any trigonometric function f(theta) where theta is an angle such that

f(Pi-theta)=-f(theta) and such that its square (i.e f(theta)^2) is maximum at Pi/2?
Georgepowell said:
if f(PI-theta)=-f(theta) for all theta, then f(PI/2) must equal zero.

It depends exacty what the question envisages …

if f is allowed to be infinite at π/2, then you could have f(π/2)- = -f(π/2)+ = ±∞ :wink:
 
if f is allowed to be infinite at π/2, then you could have f(π/2)- = -f(π/2)+ = ±∞ :wink:

Ahh, I missed that. How about the tan() function then?
 
Thanks a lot guys..f cannot be infinite as it is a wave function in a physics system I am researching on..I just wanted to make sure that there aint any solutions except the f(theta)=0 as tiny-tim pointed out..Thanks again...
 
Wait... what about sin(x)?

sin(Pi-theta) = sin(PI)cos(theta) - sin(theta)cos(pi) = -sin(theta)

And [sin(x)]^2 has local maxima at PI/2 + nPI.

Am I missing something?
 
AUMathTutor said:
Wait... what about sin(x)?

sin(Pi-theta) = sin(PI)cos(theta) - sin(theta)cos(pi) = -sin(theta)

And [sin(x)]^2 has local maxima at PI/2 + nPI.

Am I missing something?

Yup! … cosπ = minus 1 :wink:
 
oops. lol.
 

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