What is the domain of 15x^2 + 3x - sqrt2 (x)?

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The domain of the expression 15x^2 + 3x - sqrt(2)x is primarily determined by the square root term, which requires that x must be greater than or equal to zero to ensure real values. The discussion highlights confusion around interpreting the expression, particularly whether it involves sqrt(2)x or sqrt(2x). Participants emphasize the importance of defining the domain in relation to the co-domain, noting that without this specification, the question lacks clarity. Ultimately, it is concluded that the domain is all real numbers greater than or equal to zero, provided the square root is correctly interpreted. The conversation underscores the need for precise mathematical communication in educational contexts.
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Find the domain?

How would I go about finding the domain of: 15x^2 + 3x - sqrt2 (x)

trip7
 
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The domain is the set of all x greater than or equal to zero, if you mean

<br /> 15x^{2} + 3x - \sqrt x<br />

How did you do this? And where did you go wrong?

Cheers
Vivek
 
trip7 said:
How would I go about finding the domain of: 15x^2 + 3x - sqrt2 (x)

trip7
For what values of x can you evaluate this expression? Note, as a general rule:
if the domain of f(x) is Da
if the domain of g(x) is Db
if the domain of h(x) is Dc
The domain of f(x) + g(x) + h(x) is the intersection of Da, Db, and Dc. So, what is the domain of 15x^2? I.e. what values can you plug in for x and get real value for 15x^2? Now, it depends if you're restricting yourself to real numbers, or are you including complex numbers, or are we talking about vectors, or anything else? But in most situations, I'm guessing you're talking about reals? What reals can you plug into 3x? What reals can you plug into -sqrt{x}?

I'll give you a similar example, this is really too easy to give away though. Take the expression:

3x^3 - 1/x + x

For all Reals, 3x^3 is defined, so R (the entire set of Reals) is the domain for this part. -1/x is defined for all x except 0. That's the set R\{0}. The last part, x, is also defined for all Reals (obviously). So, the interaction of these sets are:
R INTERSECT R\{0} INTERSECT R = R\{0}, or all the reals except zero.
 
maverick280857 said:
The domain is the set of all x greater than or equal to zero, if you mean

<br /> 15x^{2} + 3x - \sqrt x<br />

How did you do this? And where did you go wrong?

Cheers
Vivek

I mean <br /> f(x)=15x^{2} + 3x - \sqrt 2 x<br />

Its the - \sqrt 2 x that I don't know what to do with.
Any help would be appreciated.
 
Okay, well is it \sqrt{(2x)} or (\sqrt{2})(x)?
 
See, another question that demonstrates most maths courses aren't taught well.
The domain could br Q, R, C, F_2, the p-adics, the p-locals, Z, N...
 
AKG said:
Okay, well is it \sqrt{(2x)} or (\sqrt{2})(x)?


(-\sqrt{2})(x) is the rational.
My guess is that the domain of (f) is the set of all real numbers because you can plug any number into x and get an answer. I haven't done this in a long time and remembering that you can't get the square root of a negative number, I thought I would ask the forum how this is done. Since the x is not under the radical, anything can be substituted for x in this equation. Is this correct?

trip7
 
can i ask you to complain to your teacher if that's exactly how the question was stated? the domain and codomain are part of the definition of function.

even if there were are square root of x in there it would still be a function from R, just the domain would be C.

that is why these questions should all be excised from courses.
 
matt grime said:
can i ask you to complain to your teacher if that's exactly how the question was stated? the domain and codomain are part of the definition of function.

even if there were are square root of x in there it would still be a function from R, just the domain would be C.

that is why these questions should all be excised from courses.


Its not from a teacher. Its from an Algebre II Prentice Hall book. I may not have gotten far enough in the book to see what your meaning is :-)

trip7
 
  • #10
trip7 said:
(-\sqrt{2})(x) is the rational.
My guess is that the domain of (f) is the set of all real numbers because you can plug any number into x and get an answer. I haven't done this in a long time and remembering that you can't get the square root of a negative number, I thought I would ask the forum how this is done. Since the x is not under the radical, anything can be substituted for x in this equation. Is this correct?

trip7

Setting aside matt's objection, yes. That is what the book wants you to say.

However, as matt said, it is meaningless to ask for a domain without also specifying the co-domain.

EDIT : That's not what matt said, it's what AKG said.
 
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  • #11
Thanks all for your input. I can now sleep comfortably hehe.

trip7
 

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