Math Is Fun Forum

  Discussion about math, puzzles, games and fun.   Useful symbols: ÷ × ½ √ ∞ ≠ ≤ ≥ ≈ ⇒ ± ∈ Δ θ ∴ ∑ ∫ • π ƒ -¹ ² ³ °

You are not logged in.

#1 2008-05-14 06:16:31

parseconds
Member
Registered: 2008-05-13
Posts: 3

Problem, please help?

It is always true that if

then


Give an example showing that

need not be true for all x.

Offline

#2 2008-05-14 06:40:09

mathsyperson
Moderator
Registered: 2005-06-22
Posts: 4,900

Re: Problem, please help?

x = 2π would be one example.

cos (2π) = 1
arccos (1) = 0 ≠ 2π.


Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

Offline

#3 2008-05-14 08:59:25

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Offline

#4 2008-05-14 11:25:29

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,713

Re: Problem, please help?

You could cut wood with it!


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

Offline

#5 2008-05-14 11:31:42

Ricky
Moderator
Registered: 2005-12-04
Posts: 3,791

Re: Problem, please help?

So now the question becomes: why does it hold true that cos(acos(x)) = x for all x in the domain, but not acos(cos(x))?


"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

Offline

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB