Which concepts in algebra/trig. have a domain and range

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of domain and range in algebra and trigonometry, exploring their applicability to various mathematical problems, including functions and relations. Participants examine whether these concepts are universally applicable or specific to certain types of mathematical entities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the concepts of domain and range apply to all mathematical problems or are limited to specific areas of math.
  • Another participant asserts that all functions have domains and ranges, providing examples of various functions and their respective domains and ranges.
  • A different participant counters that relations, not just functions, also possess domains and ranges.
  • A minor correction is made regarding the domain of the tangent function, specifying that it excludes values of the form (2n+1)*pi/2 for integer n.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether only functions have domains and ranges or if relations also qualify. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the universality of the concepts of domain and range across all mathematical problems.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of functions and relations may not be explicitly stated, and the discussion does not resolve the broader applicability of domain and range beyond the examples provided.

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In algebra/trig. what kinds of problems have a domain and a range ?
Is this true for anything that can be graphed? Because a lot of the time after you finish a problem in precalc. it then asks for the domain or range, so the question becomes, in mathematics, is it possible to find the domain and range, for ANY math problem, or what kind of areas of math does the concept of domain and range apply to ? To any math problem period?
 
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All functions have domains and ranges. Functions are items to which you give them a value and they give you a value (usually these are numbers).

For example, all of the following are functions, and as such they have domains and ranges (which are also given, based on the typical real number analysis concepts):
f(x) = x (D = all real numbers, R = all real numbers)
f(x) = x+3 (D = all real numbers, R = all real numbers)
f(x) = 5x (D = all real numbers, R = all real numbers)
f(x) = 1/x (D = all real numbers except x=0, R = all real numbers except 0)
f(x) = x^2 (D = all real numbers, R = all non-negative real numbers)
f(x) = sqrt(x) (D = all non-negative real numbers, R = all non-negative real numbers)
f(x) = e^x (D = all real numbers, R = all positive real numbers)
f(x) = log(x) (D = all positive real numbers, R = all real numbers)
f(x) = sin(x) (D = all real numbers, R = the inclusive interval from -1 to 1)
f(x) = cos(x) (D = all real numbers, R = the inclusive interval from -1 to 1)
f(x) = tan(x) (D = all real numbers except those of the form n*pi/2 for n being an integer, R = all real numbers)
f(x) = arcsin(x) (D = the inclusive interval from -1 to 1, R = the inclusive interval from -pi/2 to pi/2)
f(x) = arccos(x) (D = the inclusive interval from -1 to 1, R = the inclusive interval from 0 to pi)

Only functions have domains and ranges because that's where their concepts make sense. For example, the domain of f(x) = x^2 is all the real numbers and the range is all the non-negative real numbers. That means that I can feed this function a real number (like, for example, 3) and it will spit out a non-negative real number (in this case, 3^2 = 9). I can't expect to get -3 out from this function no matter what I give it.

If I were talking about the function f(x) = arcsin(x), then the domain is the inclusive interval from -1 to 1 and the range is the inclusive interval from -pi/2 to pi/2. This means that I can feed it only a value between -1 and 1 (inclusive), like 0.5, and it will give me a response somewhere between -pi/2 and pi/2, in this case, pi/6.
 
No, not only functions. Relations also have "domain" and "range".
 
LumenPlacidum said:
...
f(x) = tan(x) (D = all real numbers except those of the form n*pi/2 for n being an integer, R = all real numbers)
...

A minor correction.

f(x) = tan(x) (D = all real numbers except those of the form (2n+1)*pi/2 for n being an integer, R = all real numbers)
 

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