What is the Median of a Quadratic Function f(x) with a Given Range and Area?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Maatttt0
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Median Quadratic
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the median of a quadratic function defined as f(x) = 2(1-x) for 0 < x < k, where k is determined to be 1 based on the area under the curve being equal to 1. The area calculation confirms that the function forms a triangle with a height of 2 and a base of 1, resulting in an area of 1. To find the median, the area to the left and right of the median must be equal, leading to the equation (1-x)^2 = 1/2, which is solved for x. The integration approach is also discussed, confirming the same result for the median. The conversation concludes with an acknowledgment of understanding the solution process.
Maatttt0
Messages
37
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Given that:

f(x) = 2(1-x) for 0 < x < k
...0 for otherwise

sketch the graph of f(x) and find:

(i) the value of k,

(ii) the median of x

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



(i) I sketched the graph and got a line from (0,2) to (1,0) which has an area of 1, so k = 1.

(ii) ^{}M_{}0\int(2 - 2x) = 1/2
The code is messing up but intergation of (2 - 2x) with m (median) as the top limit and 0 being the bottom one and it = 1/2

[2x - x^2]m0 = 1/2

2m - m2 = 1/2

I'm stuck on getting m separated as it's a negative square

Help me please :(
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Try arranging the equation so all terms are on one side.
 
You don't really need to integrate to get this. y= 2(1- x) is a straight line from (0, 2) to (k, 2(1- k)).

If k= 1, the area under it is the area of the triangle with height 2 and base 1 and so area (1/2)(2)(1= 1. That is what we need to have in order to have a valid probability distribution.

As a check, if k< 1, the area under the line is the area of the trapezoid with bases 2 and 2(1- k) and height k. It's area is k(2+ 2(1- k))/2= k(4- 2k)/2= k(2- k) and we want that equal to 1. k(2- k)= 2k- k^2= 1 is the same as k^2- 2k+ 1= (k- 1)^2= 0. As before, it reduces to k= 1, the triangle case.
(You say "I sketched the graph and got a line from (0,2) to (1,0)". Well, you couldn't know it would be a line from (0, 2) to (1, 0) until after you knew that k= 1.)

Now the median is where the area both left and right is equal to 1/2. If we take that to be at "x", then we have a triangle on the right with base 1- x and height 2(1- x) which has area (1/2)(1-x)(2(1-x))= (1- x)^2 and we want that equal to 1/2: (1- x)^2= 2. Solve that for x.

If you really want to integrate, you are integrating
\int_0^x 2(1- t)dt= 2 \int_0^x 1- t dt= 2\left(x- (1/2)x^2)= 1/2[/itex]] which gives the same result.<br /> <br /> You can simplify that integral by letting u= 1- t so that du= -dt, when t= 0, u= 1 and when t= x, u= 1- x. Now the integral is 2\int_0^{1- x}u^2du= 1/2[/=itex], giving, again, the same result.
 
Thanks for the input to both of you :)

I understand now thanks, HallsOfIvy :smile: woo!
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
884
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K