MATH 203 Calculus I • Concordia University, Montreal

Corrected exercises: functions, trigonometric and exponential functions (MATH 203)

This is the corrected exercise set for the first chapter of MATH 203, Differential and Integral Calculus I, at Concordia University: sections 1.2, 1.3 and 1.5 of Thomas' Calculus, combining and transforming functions, the trigonometric functions and the exponential functions. The department's course outline says it plainly: a student who does not master this chapter should take MATH 201 first. It is also the chapter every later one leans on, because a derivative computed correctly and then simplified wrongly still loses the marks.

The thread through the whole set: rewrite first, read after. A shift is read on a FACTORED inside, 3x−6=3(x−2)3x - 6 = 3(x - 2), never on the printed one. A power is simplified once every root has become a rational exponent, x64=x3/2\sqrt[4]{x^6} = x^{3/2}, and a negative exponent a reciprocal. A trigonometric value is read from a reference angle and a quadrant. A trigonometric equation is solved after the double angle has been expanded and the common factor FACTORED, never divided away. These are the algebra gestures where MATH 203 marks are really lost, and every solution names the one it uses.

The traps named in the solutions: a domain read on a simplified formula, the outer condition of a composition forgotten, a complex fraction simplified term by term, a shift read before factoring, compressing after shifting by the full amount, outside operations done out of order, s=rθs = r\theta used in degrees, positive signs taken from a triangle, the calculator left in degree mode, sin⁡2x\sin 2x read as 2sin⁡x2\sin x, solutions deleted by dividing by cos⁡x\cos x, the doubled interval of 2x2x forgotten, an endpoint of a closed interval dropped, half a period taken for a period, and a negative exponent turned into a negative number.

10 corrected exercises • 100 points • 150 minutes

Revision sheet for this chapter → Every MATH 203 chapter →

Self-checking set Type your answers under each question: the page tells you right or wrong before you open the solution. With an account, every answer right on the first try earns points.

Course recap

  • • D(fg)=D(f)∩D(g)D\left(\frac{f}{g}\right) = D(f) \cap D(g) minus the zeros of gg; D(f∘g)D(f \circ g): x∈D(g)x \in D(g) AND g(x)∈D(f)g(x) \in D(f). Decide on the functions as given, before simplifying.
  • • y=af(b(x−h))+ky = af(b(x - h)) + k: inside, compress by bb then shift hh; outside, multiply by aa then add kk. Factor bx−d=b(x−db)bx - d = b\left(x - \frac{d}{b}\right) first.
  • • π\pi rad =180∘= 180^\circ, s=rθs = r\theta in radians. Value == size from the reference angle, sign from the quadrant.
  • • sin⁡2x+cos⁡2x=1\sin^2 x + \cos^2 x = 1, sin⁡2x=2sin⁡xcos⁡x\sin 2x = 2\sin x\cos x, cos⁡2x=1−2sin⁡2x=2cos⁡2x−1\cos 2x = 1 - 2\sin^2 x = 2\cos^2 x - 1, sin⁡2x=1−cos⁡2x2\sin^2 x = \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2}.
  • • y=Asin⁡(B(x−C))+Dy = A\sin(B(x - C)) + D: amplitude ∣A∣|A|, period 2π∣B∣\frac{2\pi}{|B|}, shift CC, midline y=Dy = D.
  • • axay=ax+ya^x a^y = a^{x + y}, (ax)y=axy(a^x)^y = a^{xy}, a−x=1axa^{-x} = \frac{1}{a^x}, am/n=amna^{m/n} = \sqrt[n]{a^m}; the laws apply to products, never to sums.

Part A: the basics (/50)

Exercise 1: Sums, quotients and compositions: the domain comes from the construction

Thomas 1.2 builds new functions from old ones. For a sum, a difference or a product, xx must be in the domain of BOTH functions. For a quotient fg\frac{f}{g}, in addition, g(x)≠0g(x) \ne 0. For a composition (f∘g)(x)=f(g(x))(f \circ g)(x) = f(g(x)), xx must be in the domain of gg AND the output g(x)g(x) must be in the domain of ff. In every case the domain is decided on the functions as they are GIVEN: a formula simplified afterwards can accept numbers that the construction refused.

Parts a) to c) use f(x)=x−1f(x) = \sqrt{x - 1} and g(x)=5−xg(x) = \sqrt{5 - x}. Part d) uses h(x)=1xh(x) = \frac{1}{x} and k(x)=xx+1k(x) = \frac{x}{x + 1}.

  • a) Find the domains of f+gf + g, fg\frac{f}{g} and gf\frac{g}{f}. Then simplify (f⋅f)(x)(f \cdot f)(x) and give the domain of f⋅ff \cdot f.
  • b) Find (f∘g)(x)(f \circ g)(x), its domain, and (f∘g)(1)(f \circ g)(1).
  • c) Find (g∘f)(x)(g \circ f)(x), its domain, and (g∘f)(10)(g \circ f)(10). Is f∘g=g∘ff \circ g = g \circ f?
  • d) Find (k∘h)(x)(k \circ h)(x) as a simple fraction, with its domain, and compute (k∘h)(2)(k \circ h)(2).
  • e) Write H(x)=cos⁡3(2x−1)H(x) = \cos^3(2x - 1) and G(x)=2x+4G(x) = 2^{\sqrt{x + 4}} each as a composition of three simple functions, naming the innermost one. Give the domain of GG and compute G(5)G(5).

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a)
Domain of f+gf + g ,
Domain of fg\frac{f}{g} ,
Domain of gf\frac{g}{f} ,
Domain of f⋅ff \cdot f ,
b)
Domain of f∘gf \circ g ,
c)
Domain of g∘fg \circ f ,
d)
e)
Domain of GG ,
Show the solution

Answers

  • a) f+gf + g: [1,5][1, 5]; fg\frac{f}{g}: [1,5)[1, 5); gf\frac{g}{f}: (1,5](1, 5]; (f⋅f)(x)=x−1(f \cdot f)(x) = x - 1 with domain [1,∞)[1, \infty)
  • b) (f∘g)(x)=5−x−1(f \circ g)(x) = \sqrt{\sqrt{5 - x} - 1}, domain (−∞,4](-\infty, 4], (f∘g)(1)=1(f \circ g)(1) = 1
  • c) (g∘f)(x)=5−x−1(g \circ f)(x) = \sqrt{5 - \sqrt{x - 1}}, domain [1,26][1, 26], (g∘f)(10)=2(g \circ f)(10) = \sqrt 2; no
  • d) (k∘h)(x)=11+x(k \circ h)(x) = \frac{1}{1 + x}, domain R∖{−1,0}\mathbb{R} \setminus \{-1, 0\}, (k∘h)(2)=13(k \circ h)(2) = \frac{1}{3}
  • e) H=p∘c∘ℓH = p \circ c \circ \ell with ℓ(x)=2x−1\ell(x) = 2x - 1, c=cos⁡c = \cos, p(u)=u3p(u) = u^3; G=e2∘r∘sG = e_2 \circ r \circ s with s(x)=x+4s(x) = x + 4, r= r = \sqrt{\ }, e2(u)=2ue_2(u) = 2^u; domain of GG: [−4,∞)[-4, \infty); G(5)=8G(5) = 8

a) D(f)=[1,∞)D(f) = [1, \infty) since x−1≥0x - 1 \ge 0, and D(g)=(−∞,5]D(g) = (-\infty, 5] since 5−x≥05 - x \ge 0. The sum needs both: [1,∞)∩(−∞,5]=[1,5][1, \infty) \cap (-\infty, 5] = [1, 5]. The quotient fg\frac{f}{g} needs both AND g(x)≠0g(x) \ne 0: 5−x=0\sqrt{5 - x} = 0 at x=5x = 5, so [1,5)[1, 5). The quotient gf\frac{g}{f} loses x=1x = 1 instead, where f(1)=0f(1) = 0: (1,5](1, 5]. The product f⋅ff \cdot f is the trap of the part: (f⋅f)(x)=x−1 x−1=x−1(f \cdot f)(x) = \sqrt{x - 1}\,\sqrt{x - 1} = x - 1, a formula that accepts every real number, yet (f⋅f)(0)(f \cdot f)(0) does not exist because f(0)=−1f(0) = \sqrt{-1} does not. The domain is D(f)∩D(f)=[1,∞)D(f) \cap D(f) = [1, \infty), the domain of the construction, not the domain of the simplified formula x−1x - 1.

b) (f∘g)(x)=f(5−x)=5−x−1(f \circ g)(x) = f(\sqrt{5 - x}) = \sqrt{\sqrt{5 - x} - 1}. Inner function first: x≤5x \le 5. Then its output must be a legal input of ff: 5−x−1≥0\sqrt{5 - x} - 1 \ge 0, that is 5−x≥1\sqrt{5 - x} \ge 1. Both sides are nonnegative, so squaring keeps the inequality: 5−x≥15 - x \ge 1, x≤4x \le 4. The domain is (−∞,5]∩(−∞,4]=(−∞,4](-\infty, 5] \cap (-\infty, 4] = (-\infty, 4]. Check at the edge: (f∘g)(4)=1−1=0(f \circ g)(4) = \sqrt{\sqrt 1 - 1} = 0 exists, and at x=4.5x = 4.5 the inner output is 0.5≈0.71<1\sqrt{0.5} \approx 0.71 < 1, refused by ff. Value: g(1)=4=2g(1) = \sqrt 4 = 2, then f(2)=1=1f(2) = \sqrt 1 = 1. Stopping at the first condition and answering (−∞,5](-\infty, 5] is the lost mark: the outer root needs its own condition.

c) (g∘f)(x)=g(x−1)=5−x−1(g \circ f)(x) = g(\sqrt{x - 1}) = \sqrt{5 - \sqrt{x - 1}}. Inner: x≥1x \ge 1. Outer: 5−x−1≥05 - \sqrt{x - 1} \ge 0, so x−1≤5\sqrt{x - 1} \le 5, and squaring two nonnegative sides, x−1≤25x - 1 \le 25, x≤26x \le 26. Domain [1,26][1, 26]. Value: f(10)=9=3f(10) = \sqrt 9 = 3 and g(3)=5−3=2≈1.4142g(3) = \sqrt{5 - 3} = \sqrt 2 \approx 1.4142. The two compositions are different functions with different domains, (−∞,4](-\infty, 4] and [1,26][1, 26]: already at x=10x = 10, (f∘g)(10)(f \circ g)(10) does not even exist since g(10)=−5g(10) = \sqrt{-5}. So f∘g≠g∘ff \circ g \ne g \circ f; the order of a composition is part of its definition.

d) (k∘h)(x)=k(1x)=1x1x+1(k \circ h)(x) = k\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = \frac{\frac{1}{x}}{\frac{1}{x} + 1}, a COMPLEX FRACTION. The algebraic gesture: multiply the numerator and the denominator by xx, the denominator of the small fractions, which is legal because x≠0x \ne 0 has already been required: 11+x\frac{1}{1 + x}. Domain, from the construction: x≠0x \ne 0 for the inner hh, and the output 1x\frac{1}{x} must be in the domain of kk, that is 1x≠−1\frac{1}{x} \ne -1, so x≠−1x \ne -1. The domain is R∖{−1,0}\mathbb{R} \setminus \{-1, 0\}. The simplified formula 11+x\frac{1}{1 + x} gives 11 at x=0x = 0, but h(0)h(0) does not exist, so (k∘h)(0)(k \circ h)(0) does not either. Value: h(2)=12h(2) = \frac{1}{2}, k(12)=1/23/2=13k\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) = \frac{1/2}{3/2} = \frac{1}{3}, and 11+2=13\frac{1}{1 + 2} = \frac{1}{3} agrees. Two common algebra slips here: adding 1x+1\frac{1}{x} + 1 as 2x\frac{2}{x}, and cancelling the 1x\frac{1}{x} of the top with the one of the bottom as if the +1+1 were not there.

e) Read HH the way a calculator computes it: take xx, form 2x−12x - 1, take its cosine, cube the result. Notation first: cos⁡3(2x−1)\cos^3(2x - 1) MEANS [cos⁡(2x−1)]3[\cos(2x - 1)]^3, the cube of the cosine, never cos⁡((2x−1)3)\cos((2x - 1)^3). So ℓ(x)=2x−1\ell(x) = 2x - 1 is innermost, then c(u)=cos⁡uc(u) = \cos u, then p(u)=u3p(u) = u^3, and H=p∘c∘ℓH = p \circ c \circ \ell, written in the reverse of the order in which it acts. For GG: s(x)=x+4s(x) = x + 4, then r(u)=ur(u) = \sqrt u, then e2(u)=2ue_2(u) = 2^u, so G=e2∘r∘sG = e_2 \circ r \circ s. The exponential accepts every real exponent, so only the root restricts: x+4≥0x + 4 \ge 0, domain [−4,∞)[-4, \infty). G(5)=29=23=8G(5) = 2^{\sqrt 9} = 2^3 = 8. These decompositions are not unique (q(u)=u+4q(u) = \sqrt{u + 4} could be one layer), but the innermost function must act FIRST in any of them; they are exactly the layers the chain rule of chapter 10 will ask you to name.

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Exercise 2: Shifting and scaling: factor the inside, then keep the order

Thomas 1.2 lists the moves. Outside ff: y=f(x)+ky = f(x) + k shifts up kk, y=cf(x)y = cf(x) stretches vertically by cc (and reflects in the xx-axis if c<0c < 0). Inside ff: y=f(x−h)y = f(x - h) shifts RIGHT hh, y=f(cx)y = f(cx) COMPRESSES horizontally by cc for c>1c > 1. When the inside is cx−dcx - d, it must be FACTORED before the shift is read: the shift is dc\frac{d}{c}, not dd. Outside, the operations follow the order of the formula, multiply first, then add.

The figure shows the graph of ff, made of three segments through A(−3,−1)A(-3, -1), B(0,2)B(0, 2), C(3,2)C(3, 2) and D(6,0)D(6, 0). Its domain is [−3,6][-3, 6] and its range is [−1,2][-1, 2]. We study y=−2f(3x−6)+1y = -2f(3x - 6) + 1.

-4-3-2-11234567-2-1123ABCDy = f(x)x
  • a) Write 3x−63x - 6 as 3(x−h)3(x - h). List, in a correct order, the transformations that take the graph of ff to the graph of y=−2f(3x−6)+1y = -2f(3x - 6) + 1, and give the images of AA, BB, CC and DD.
  • b) Give the domain and the range of y=−2f(3x−6)+1y = -2f(3x - 6) + 1.
  • c) A student compresses the graph of ff horizontally by 33, then shifts it 66 units right. Where does her procedure send BB, and which function did she actually graph?
  • d) Compare with y=−2(f(3x−6)+1)y = -2\left(f(3x - 6) + 1\right): image of DD and range.
  • e) Write the equation of the curve obtained from y=xy = \sqrt x by, in this order: a shift of 44 units left, a horizontal compression by 22, a reflection in the xx-axis, a shift of 33 units up. Give its domain and its value at x=6x = 6.

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a)
b)
Domain ,
Range ,
c)
d)
Range ,
e)
Range ,
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Answers

  • a) 3(x−2)3(x - 2); compress horizontally by 33, shift right 22, stretch vertically by 22 and reflect in the xx-axis, shift up 11; A↦(1,3)A \mapsto (1, 3), B↦(2,−3)B \mapsto (2, -3), C↦(3,−3)C \mapsto (3, -3), D↦(4,1)D \mapsto (4, 1)
  • b) Domain [1,4][1, 4], range [−3,3][-3, 3]
  • c) B↦(6,2)B \mapsto (6, 2) before the outside moves; she graphed f(3(x−6))=f(3x−18)f(3(x - 6)) = f(3x - 18)
  • d) D↦(4,−2)D \mapsto (4, -2); range [−6,0][-6, 0]
  • e) y=3−2x+4y = 3 - \sqrt{2x + 4}, domain [−2,∞)[-2, \infty), value −1-1 at x=6x = 6

a) Factor the inside: 3x−6=3(x−2)3x - 6 = 3(x - 2), so y=−2f(3(x−2))+1y = -2f(3(x - 2)) + 1. Inside, 3(⋅)3(\cdot) compresses horizontally by 33, THEN x−2x - 2 shifts 22 units right; outside, −2-2 stretches vertically by 22 and reflects in the xx-axis, THEN +1+1 shifts up 11. The two groups act on different coordinates, so they can be done in either order with respect to each other, but not within a group. Point by point: a point (a,b)(a, b) of ff goes where the inside equals aa, 3x−6=a3x - 6 = a, so x=a+63x = \frac{a + 6}{3}, and its height becomes −2b+1-2b + 1. A(−3,−1)↦(1,3)A(-3, -1) \mapsto (1, 3), B(0,2)↦(2,−3)B(0, 2) \mapsto (2, -3), C(3,2)↦(3,−3)C(3, 2) \mapsto (3, -3), D(6,0)↦(4,1)D(6, 0) \mapsto (4, 1). Check one point in the formula: at x=2x = 2, −2f(0)+1=−2(2)+1=−3-2f(0) + 1 = -2(2) + 1 = -3. The solution figure shows both graphs.

b) The domain moves with the xx-coordinates: −3≤3x−6≤6-3 \le 3x - 6 \le 6 gives 3≤3x≤123 \le 3x \le 12, so 1≤x≤41 \le x \le 4, the domain [1,4][1, 4], as the images of AA and DD confirm. The range moves with the outside only: ff takes every value of [−1,2][-1, 2], so −2f-2f takes every value of [−4,2][-4, 2] (multiplying by a negative number SWAPS the ends: −2×2=−4-2 \times 2 = -4 is now the smallest), and −2f+1-2f + 1 every value of [−3,3][-3, 3]. Writing [−2×(−1)+1,−2×2+1]=[3,−3][-2 \times (-1) + 1, -2 \times 2 + 1] = [3, -3], an interval with its ends in the wrong order, is the typical slip.

c) Her compression by 33 sends B(0,2)B(0, 2) to (0,2)(0, 2), and the shift right 66 then sends it to (6,2)(6, 2), while the correct image of the inside is at x=2x = 2. Her two steps replace xx by 3x3x, then xx by x−6x - 6 in the result: f(3x)f(3x) becomes f(3(x−6))=f(3x−18)f(3(x - 6)) = f(3x - 18), not f(3x−6)f(3x - 6). Two correct orders exist: compress by 33 then shift right 22 (the factored form), or shift right 66 then compress by 33 (f(x−6)f(x - 6) becomes f(3x−6)f(3x - 6), and BB goes 0↦6↦20 \mapsto 6 \mapsto 2). The number 66 is a shift only if it is applied BEFORE the compression; after it, the shift is 63=2\frac{6}{3} = 2. The whole graph lands 44 units too far right, which costs every point of the sketch.

d) Now the parentheses force the addition first: b↦−2(b+1)=−2b−2b \mapsto -2(b + 1) = -2b - 2. D(6,0)D(6, 0) goes to (4,−2)(4, -2) instead of (4,1)(4, 1). The range: f+1f + 1 runs over [0,3][0, 3], and −2(f+1)-2(f + 1) over [−6,0][-6, 0]. The two graphs have the same shape and the same domain, but the second sits 33 units lower: −2b−2-2b - 2 against −2b+1-2b + 1. Outside the parentheses the order of operations IS the order of the transformations, exactly as when you evaluate a number.

e) Apply each step to the CURRENT formula by replacing xx (inside) or acting on yy (outside). Shift left 44: x+4\sqrt{x + 4}. Compress horizontally by 22: replace xx by 2x2x in that formula, 2x+4\sqrt{2x + 4}. Reflect in the xx-axis: −2x+4-\sqrt{2x + 4}. Up 33: y=3−2x+4y = 3 - \sqrt{2x + 4}. Domain: 2x+4≥02x + 4 \ge 0, x≥−2x \ge -2, so [−2,∞)[-2, \infty); and at x=6x = 6, 3−16=−13 - \sqrt{16} = -1. The trap is to write 2(x+4)=2x+8\sqrt{2(x + 4)} = \sqrt{2x + 8}, which compresses FIRST and then shifts: it starts at x=−4x = -4 instead of −2-2. Check with the starting point (0,0)(0, 0) of x\sqrt x: left 44 gives (−4,0)(-4, 0), compressing by 22 halves the xx-coordinate, (−2,0)(-2, 0), then (−2,0)(-2, 0) and (−2,3)(-2, 3): the curve starts at (−2,3)(-2, 3), and indeed 3−0=33 - \sqrt{0} = 3.

-4-3-2-11234567-4-3-2-11234y = f(x)y = -2f(3x - 6) + 1x

Exercise 3: Radians, the unit circle and the six trigonometric functions

An angle of θ\theta radians cuts an arc of length s=rθs = r\theta on a circle of radius rr; so π\pi radians is 180∘180^\circ, and the formula s=rθs = r\theta is FALSE in degrees. On the unit circle, the terminal side of θ\theta meets the circle at P(cos⁡θ,sin⁡θ)P(\cos\theta, \sin\theta); then tan⁡θ=sin⁡θcos⁡θ\tan\theta = \frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}, sec⁡θ=1cos⁡θ\sec\theta = \frac{1}{\cos\theta}, csc⁡θ=1sin⁡θ\csc\theta = \frac{1}{\sin\theta}, cot⁡θ=cos⁡θsin⁡θ\cot\theta = \frac{\cos\theta}{\sin\theta}. An exact value is read in two steps: the REFERENCE ANGLE (the acute angle between the terminal side and the xx-axis) gives the size, the QUADRANT gives the sign.

The figure shows the unit circle and the terminal side of θ=4π3\theta = \frac{4\pi}{3}, which meets the circle at PP; the reference angle is marked in orange. A scientific calculator is allowed, but parts b) to d) must be answered exactly first.

Pθ1unit circle
  • a) Convert 150∘150^\circ and −225∘-225^\circ to radians, and 7π12\frac{7\pi}{12} rad to degrees. Find the length of the arc cut by an angle of 150∘150^\circ on a circle of radius 66 cm.
  • b) Give the reference angle of θ=4π3\theta = \frac{4\pi}{3}, then the exact values of its six trigonometric functions.
  • c) Given tan⁡θ=158\tan\theta = \frac{15}{8} with π<θ<3π2\pi < \theta < \frac{3\pi}{2}, find sin⁡θ\sin\theta, cos⁡θ\cos\theta, sec⁡θ\sec\theta and cot⁡θ\cot\theta exactly.
  • d) Find exactly sin⁡17π6\sin\frac{17\pi}{6}, cos⁡(−10π3)\cos\left(-\frac{10\pi}{3}\right) and tan⁡(−13π4)\tan\left(-\frac{13\pi}{4}\right).
  • e) Compute sin⁡2\sin 2 and sin⁡2∘\sin 2^\circ to four decimals. A student types cos⁡(π÷3)\cos(\pi \div 3) and reads 0.99980.9998: what did the calculator compute, and what is the correct value?

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a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
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Answers

  • a) 5π6\frac{5\pi}{6}, −5π4-\frac{5\pi}{4}, 105∘105^\circ; arc 5π≈15.715\pi \approx 15.71 cm
  • b) Reference angle π3\frac{\pi}{3}; sin⁡=−32\sin = -\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}, cos⁡=−12\cos = -\frac{1}{2}, tan⁡=3\tan = \sqrt 3, csc⁡=−23\csc = -\frac{2}{\sqrt 3}, sec⁡=−2\sec = -2, cot⁡=13\cot = \frac{1}{\sqrt 3}
  • c) sin⁡θ=−1517\sin\theta = -\frac{15}{17}, cos⁡θ=−817\cos\theta = -\frac{8}{17}, sec⁡θ=−178\sec\theta = -\frac{17}{8}, cot⁡θ=815\cot\theta = \frac{8}{15}
  • d) 12\frac{1}{2}, −12-\frac{1}{2}, −1-1
  • e) sin⁡2≈0.9093\sin 2 \approx 0.9093, sin⁡2∘≈0.0349\sin 2^\circ \approx 0.0349; it computed cos⁡(1.0472∘)\cos(1.0472^\circ) in degree mode; cos⁡π3=0.5\cos\frac{\pi}{3} = 0.5

a) Multiply degrees by π180\frac{\pi}{180}: 150×π180=5π6150 \times \frac{\pi}{180} = \frac{5\pi}{6} and −225×π180=−5π4-225 \times \frac{\pi}{180} = -\frac{5\pi}{4}. Multiply radians by 180π\frac{180}{\pi}: 7π12×180π=105∘\frac{7\pi}{12} \times \frac{180}{\pi} = 105^\circ. Arc length: s=rθs = r\theta holds with θ\theta IN RADIANS, so s=6×5π6=5π≈15.71s = 6 \times \frac{5\pi}{6} = 5\pi \approx 15.71 cm. The answer 6×150=9006 \times 150 = 900 cm, an arc fifty times longer than the whole circle (12π≈37.712\pi \approx 37.7 cm), is what the formula gives in degrees; a length larger than the circumference should stop you. Simplifying 150180\frac{150}{180} to 56\frac{5}{6} before multiplying by π\pi keeps the arithmetic small.

b) 4π3=π+π3\frac{4\pi}{3} = \pi + \frac{\pi}{3}: the terminal side has gone half a turn and then π3\frac{\pi}{3} more, into the third quadrant, and the angle it makes with the negative xx-axis is the reference angle π3\frac{\pi}{3} (orange on the figure). Size from the reference angle: cos⁡π3=12\cos\frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{1}{2}, sin⁡π3=32\sin\frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{\sqrt 3}{2}. Sign from the quadrant: in the third quadrant both coordinates of PP are negative. So cos⁡4π3=−12\cos\frac{4\pi}{3} = -\frac{1}{2}, sin⁡4π3=−32≈−0.8660\sin\frac{4\pi}{3} = -\frac{\sqrt 3}{2} \approx -0.8660. Then tan⁡=−3/2−1/2=3≈1.7321\tan = \frac{-\sqrt 3/2}{-1/2} = \sqrt 3 \approx 1.7321, positive because two negatives divide to a positive; sec⁡=1−1/2=−2\sec = \frac{1}{-1/2} = -2; csc⁡=−23=−233≈−1.1547\csc = -\frac{2}{\sqrt 3} = -\frac{2\sqrt 3}{3} \approx -1.1547; cot⁡=13\cot = \frac{1}{\sqrt 3}. The division by a fraction (1−1/2=−2\frac{1}{-1/2} = -2, not −12-\frac{1}{2}) is the algebra step where marks go.

c) Reference triangle: tan⁡=158\tan = \frac{15}{8} gives legs 1515 and 88, and the hypotenuse is 152+82=289=17\sqrt{15^2 + 8^2} = \sqrt{289} = 17. So the SIZES are ∣sin⁡θ∣=1517|\sin\theta| = \frac{15}{17} and ∣cos⁡θ∣=817|\cos\theta| = \frac{8}{17}. The quadrant gives the signs: π<θ<3π2\pi < \theta < \frac{3\pi}{2} is the third quadrant, where sin⁡\sin and cos⁡\cos are both negative and tan⁡\tan positive, as given. So sin⁡θ=−1517\sin\theta = -\frac{15}{17}, cos⁡θ=−817\cos\theta = -\frac{8}{17}, sec⁡θ=−178\sec\theta = -\frac{17}{8}, cot⁡θ=815\cot\theta = \frac{8}{15}. Check with the identity: (1517)2+(817)2=225+64289=1\left(\frac{15}{17}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{8}{17}\right)^2 = \frac{225 + 64}{289} = 1, and sin⁡θcos⁡θ=158\frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} = \frac{15}{8}. Giving the positive values of the triangle loses the whole part: a triangle knows sizes, never signs.

d) Remove full turns (2π2\pi for sine and cosine, π\pi for tangent) until the angle is in [0,2π)[0, 2\pi), then use a reference angle. 17π6−2π=5π6\frac{17\pi}{6} - 2\pi = \frac{5\pi}{6}, second quadrant, reference π6\frac{\pi}{6}, sine positive: sin⁡17π6=12\sin\frac{17\pi}{6} = \frac{1}{2}. Cosine is even, cos⁡(−u)=cos⁡u\cos(-u) = \cos u: cos⁡(−10π3)=cos⁡10π3=cos⁡(10π3−2π)=cos⁡4π3=−12\cos\left(-\frac{10\pi}{3}\right) = \cos\frac{10\pi}{3} = \cos\left(\frac{10\pi}{3} - 2\pi\right) = \cos\frac{4\pi}{3} = -\frac{1}{2}, the angle of part b). Tangent has period π\pi: −13π4+4π=3π4-\frac{13\pi}{4} + 4\pi = \frac{3\pi}{4}, second quadrant, reference π4\frac{\pi}{4}, tangent negative: −1-1. The arithmetic of fractions of π\pi is the step to write out: 2π=12π62\pi = \frac{12\pi}{6}, 4π=16π44\pi = \frac{16\pi}{4}.

e) In radian mode, sin⁡2≈0.9093\sin 2 \approx 0.9093: 22 radians is about 114.6∘114.6^\circ, an angle of the second quadrant, where the sine is large. In degree mode, sin⁡2∘≈0.0349\sin 2^\circ \approx 0.0349, a tiny angle. Same keys, two different numbers. The student's calculator is in DEGREE mode: it computed π÷3≈1.0472\pi \div 3 \approx 1.0472, then took the cosine of 1.04721.0472 DEGREES, which is ≈0.9998\approx 0.9998, almost 11 because the angle is almost 00. The correct value is cos⁡π3=12\cos\frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{1}{2}, known exactly without any key. In calculus every angle is in radians, so the calculator lives in radian mode for the whole course, and a cosine of a known angle that comes out close to 11 is the signal of the wrong mode.

Exercise 4: Identities and trigonometric equations on an interval: factor, never divide

The identities of Thomas 1.3 used here: sin⁡2x+cos⁡2x=1\sin^2 x + \cos^2 x = 1; sin⁡2x=2sin⁡xcos⁡x\sin 2x = 2\sin x\cos x; cos⁡2x=cos⁡2x−sin⁡2x=2cos⁡2x−1=1−2sin⁡2x\cos 2x = \cos^2 x - \sin^2 x = 2\cos^2 x - 1 = 1 - 2\sin^2 x. To solve an equation on an interval: rewrite it with ONE function of ONE angle, bring everything to one side, FACTOR, and solve each factor with the unit circle. Two rules protect the solutions: never divide both sides by an expression that can be 00 (it deletes the solutions where it vanishes), and when the angle is 2x2x, let 2x2x run over the DOUBLED interval.

All answers are exact multiples of π\pi; no calculator key for an inverse function is needed anywhere.

  • a) Given sin⁡α=13\sin\alpha = \frac{1}{3} with 0<α<π20 < \alpha < \frac{\pi}{2}, find cos⁡α\cos\alpha, sin⁡2α\sin 2\alpha and cos⁡2α\cos 2\alpha exactly.
  • b) Solve 2cos⁡2x=12\cos 2x = 1 on [0,2π][0, 2\pi].
  • c) Solve sin⁡2x=cos⁡x\sin 2x = \cos x on [0,2π][0, 2\pi]. A student divides both sides by cos⁡x\cos x: what does she lose?
  • d) Solve 2sin⁡2x+3cos⁡x=32\sin^2 x + 3\cos x = 3 on [0,2π][0, 2\pi].
  • e) Prove that cos⁡4x−sin⁡4x=cos⁡2x\cos^4 x - \sin^4 x = \cos 2x, then solve cos⁡4x−sin⁡4x=−12\cos^4 x - \sin^4 x = -\frac{1}{2} on [0,π][0, \pi].

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  • a) cos⁡α=223\cos\alpha = \frac{2\sqrt 2}{3}, sin⁡2α=429\sin 2\alpha = \frac{4\sqrt 2}{9}, cos⁡2α=79\cos 2\alpha = \frac{7}{9}
  • b) x=π6,5π6,7π6,11π6x = \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{5\pi}{6}, \frac{7\pi}{6}, \frac{11\pi}{6}
  • c) x=π6,π2,5π6,3π2x = \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{5\pi}{6}, \frac{3\pi}{2}; dividing loses π2\frac{\pi}{2} and 3π2\frac{3\pi}{2}
  • d) x=0,π3,5π3,2πx = 0, \frac{\pi}{3}, \frac{5\pi}{3}, 2\pi
  • e) Difference of squares, then sin⁡2x+cos⁡2x=1\sin^2 x + \cos^2 x = 1; x=π3,2π3x = \frac{\pi}{3}, \frac{2\pi}{3}

a) Pythagoras: cos⁡2α=1−19=89\cos^2\alpha = 1 - \frac{1}{9} = \frac{8}{9}, so cos⁡α=±83=±223\cos\alpha = \pm\frac{\sqrt 8}{3} = \pm\frac{2\sqrt 2}{3}, and the first quadrant chooses ++: cos⁡α=223≈0.9428\cos\alpha = \frac{2\sqrt 2}{3} \approx 0.9428. Double angle: sin⁡2α=2sin⁡αcos⁡α=2⋅13⋅223=429≈0.6285\sin 2\alpha = 2\sin\alpha\cos\alpha = 2 \cdot \frac{1}{3} \cdot \frac{2\sqrt 2}{3} = \frac{4\sqrt 2}{9} \approx 0.6285. For cos⁡2α\cos 2\alpha the version with sin⁡\sin alone avoids the root: cos⁡2α=1−2sin⁡2α=1−29=79\cos 2\alpha = 1 - 2\sin^2\alpha = 1 - \frac{2}{9} = \frac{7}{9}. Check: sin⁡22α+cos⁡22α=3281+4981=1\sin^2 2\alpha + \cos^2 2\alpha = \frac{32}{81} + \frac{49}{81} = 1. Two classic slips: sin⁡2α=23\sin 2\alpha = \frac{2}{3} (doubling the sine), and 8=4\sqrt 8 = 4 instead of 222\sqrt 2.

b) Isolate: cos⁡2x=12\cos 2x = \frac{1}{2}. Name the angle u=2xu = 2x: when xx runs over [0,2π][0, 2\pi], uu runs over [0,4π][0, 4\pi], TWO turns. On the unit circle cos⁡u=12\cos u = \frac{1}{2} at u=π3u = \frac{\pi}{3} and u=5π3u = \frac{5\pi}{3}, and again one turn later at 7π3\frac{7\pi}{3} and 11π3\frac{11\pi}{3}. Divide by 22: x=π6,5π6,7π6,11π6x = \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{5\pi}{6}, \frac{7\pi}{6}, \frac{11\pi}{6}. Four solutions, the four crossings of the solution figure. The student who solves cos⁡u=12\cos u = \frac{1}{2} on [0,2π][0, 2\pi] only and halves finds two of them and loses half the marks; the doubled interval is written BEFORE the unit circle is used.

c) Expand the double angle to have one angle everywhere: 2sin⁡xcos⁡x=cos⁡x2\sin x\cos x = \cos x. Bring everything to one side and FACTOR the common cos⁡x\cos x: 2sin⁡xcos⁡x−cos⁡x=cos⁡x (2sin⁡x−1)=02\sin x\cos x - \cos x = \cos x\,(2\sin x - 1) = 0. A product is zero when one factor is: cos⁡x=0\cos x = 0 gives x=π2,3π2x = \frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{3\pi}{2}; sin⁡x=12\sin x = \frac{1}{2} gives x=π6,5π6x = \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{5\pi}{6}. Four solutions. Dividing by cos⁡x\cos x gives 2sin⁡x=12\sin x = 1 and only π6\frac{\pi}{6}, 5π6\frac{5\pi}{6}: the division was legal only where cos⁡x≠0\cos x \ne 0, and the lost solutions are exactly those where it was not. Check x=π2x = \frac{\pi}{2} in the ORIGINAL equation: sin⁡π=0=cos⁡π2\sin\pi = 0 = \cos\frac{\pi}{2}. Factoring the common factor is THE algebraic gesture of every trigonometric equation of the course, and later of every f′(x)=0f'(x) = 0.

d) Two functions, sin⁡\sin and cos⁡\cos: use sin⁡2x=1−cos⁡2x\sin^2 x = 1 - \cos^2 x to keep only cos⁡\cos. 2(1−cos⁡2x)+3cos⁡x=32(1 - \cos^2 x) + 3\cos x = 3 becomes −2cos⁡2x+3cos⁡x−1=0-2\cos^2 x + 3\cos x - 1 = 0, that is 2cos⁡2x−3cos⁡x+1=02\cos^2 x - 3\cos x + 1 = 0, a quadratic in c=cos⁡xc = \cos x: (2c−1)(c−1)=0(2c - 1)(c - 1) = 0, so c=12c = \frac{1}{2} or c=1c = 1. cos⁡x=12\cos x = \frac{1}{2}: x=π3,5π3x = \frac{\pi}{3}, \frac{5\pi}{3}. cos⁡x=1\cos x = 1: x=0x = 0 AND x=2πx = 2\pi, both in the CLOSED interval [0,2π][0, 2\pi]. Four solutions. Check x=π3x = \frac{\pi}{3}: 2⋅34+32=32 \cdot \frac{3}{4} + \frac{3}{2} = 3. The endpoint 2π2\pi is forgotten on most copies; the brackets of the interval are part of the question.

e) cos⁡4x−sin⁡4x\cos^4 x - \sin^4 x is a difference of SQUARES: (cos⁡2x)2−(sin⁡2x)2=(cos⁡2x−sin⁡2x)(cos⁡2x+sin⁡2x)=cos⁡2x⋅1=cos⁡2x(\cos^2 x)^2 - (\sin^2 x)^2 = (\cos^2 x - \sin^2 x)(\cos^2 x + \sin^2 x) = \cos 2x \cdot 1 = \cos 2x. The equation becomes cos⁡2x=−12\cos 2x = -\frac{1}{2} with u=2x∈[0,2π]u = 2x \in [0, 2\pi]: u=2π3u = \frac{2\pi}{3} or 4π3\frac{4\pi}{3}, so x=π3x = \frac{\pi}{3} or 2π3\frac{2\pi}{3}. Check: cos⁡4π3−sin⁡4π3=116−916=−12\cos^4\frac{\pi}{3} - \sin^4\frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{1}{16} - \frac{9}{16} = -\frac{1}{2}. Expanding cos⁡4x\cos^4 x as (cos⁡x)4(\cos x)^4 and trying to solve a fourth degree equation is possible but long; recognizing the difference of squares is the rewrite that makes the question a two-line problem.

π/2π3π/22π12-2y = 2cos 2xy = 1

Exercise 5: The general sine function: amplitude, period and shift, from a formula and from a graph

The function y=Asin⁡(B(x−C))+Dy = A\sin(B(x - C)) + D has amplitude ∣A∣|A|, period 2π∣B∣\frac{2\pi}{|B|}, horizontal shift CC and midline y=Dy = D; its range is [D−∣A∣,D+∣A∣][D - |A|, D + |A|]. Thomas writes the same function with the period itself in the formula, Asin⁡(2πP(x−C))+DA\sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{P}(x - C)\right) + D. The horizontal shift is read only after the coefficient of xx has been FACTORED out of the angle: sin⁡(2x−π)\sin(2x - \pi) is shifted by π2\frac{\pi}{2}, not by π\pi. The same graph has many formulas: with cos⁡\cos instead of sin⁡\sin, with A<0A < 0, with CC changed by a period.

The figure shows the graph of a sinusoidal function gg, with a maximum at (1,5)(1, 5) and a minimum at (4,−1)(4, -1).

-2-112345678-2-1123456(1, 5)(4, -1)y = g(x)x
  • a) For y=3sin⁡(2x−π2)+1y = 3\sin\left(2x - \frac{\pi}{2}\right) + 1, factor the angle and give the amplitude, the period, the horizontal shift and the range.
  • b) From the figure, find A>0A > 0, DD, the period and B>0B > 0 for g(x)=Asin⁡(B(x−C))+Dg(x) = A\sin(B(x - C)) + D, and the value of CC in (−3,3](-3, 3].
  • c) Write gg with a cosine, g(x)=3cos⁡(B(x−C))+2g(x) = 3\cos(B(x - C)) + 2, and then with A=−3A = -3 and a sine, giving CC in (−3,3](-3, 3] each time.
  • d) Solve g(x)=3.5g(x) = 3.5 on [0,6][0, 6].
  • e) The graph of y=sin⁡xy = \sin x is compressed horizontally by 33, then shifted π6\frac{\pi}{6} to the right. Write the new equation in the form y=sin⁡(3x−c)y = \sin(3x - c). A student writes y=sin⁡(3x−π6)y = \sin\left(3x - \frac{\pi}{6}\right): compare the two values at x=π3x = \frac{\pi}{3}.

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  • a) 3sin⁡(2(x−π4))+13\sin\left(2\left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right) + 1: amplitude 33, period π\pi, shift π4\frac{\pi}{4} right, range [−2,4][-2, 4]
  • b) A=3A = 3, D=2D = 2, period 66, B=π3B = \frac{\pi}{3}, C=−12C = -\frac{1}{2}
  • c) g(x)=3cos⁡(π3(x−1))+2g(x) = 3\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{3}(x - 1)\right) + 2; g(x)=−3sin⁡(π3(x−52))+2g(x) = -3\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\left(x - \frac{5}{2}\right)\right) + 2
  • d) x=0x = 0, x=2x = 2, x=6x = 6
  • e) y=sin⁡(3x−π2)y = \sin\left(3x - \frac{\pi}{2}\right), so c=π2c = \frac{\pi}{2}; at π3\frac{\pi}{3}: 11 against the student's 12\frac{1}{2}

a) Factor the 22 out of the angle: 2x−π2=2(x−π4)2x - \frac{\pi}{2} = 2\left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right). So A=3A = 3, B=2B = 2, C=π4C = \frac{\pi}{4}, D=1D = 1: amplitude 33, period 2π2=π\frac{2\pi}{2} = \pi, shift π4\frac{\pi}{4} to the RIGHT, midline y=1y = 1, range [1−3,1+3]=[−2,4][1 - 3, 1 + 3] = [-2, 4]. Check: the sine starts its cycle where the angle is 00, 2x−π2=02x - \frac{\pi}{2} = 0, that is x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4}, and there y=3sin⁡0+1=1y = 3\sin 0 + 1 = 1, on the midline, going up. Reading the shift as π2\frac{\pi}{2} from the unfactored angle is the mark lost on nearly every first attempt.

b) Midline halfway between the extremes: D=5+(−1)2=2D = \frac{5 + (-1)}{2} = 2. Amplitude: A=5−(−1)2=3A = \frac{5 - (-1)}{2} = 3. From a maximum to the next minimum is HALF a period: 4−1=34 - 1 = 3, so the period is 66 and B=2π6=π3B = \frac{2\pi}{6} = \frac{\pi}{3}. For CC: sin⁡\sin starts a cycle on the midline going UP, a quarter period (1.51.5) before the maximum: at x=1−1.5=−0.5x = 1 - 1.5 = -0.5. So C=−12C = -\frac{1}{2} and g(x)=3sin⁡(π3(x+12))+2g(x) = 3\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\left(x + \frac{1}{2}\right)\right) + 2. Check at the maximum: π3⋅32=π2\frac{\pi}{3} \cdot \frac{3}{2} = \frac{\pi}{2} and 3sin⁡π2+2=53\sin\frac{\pi}{2} + 2 = 5. Taking the period as 33, the distance between a maximum and a minimum, doubles BB and draws two cycles where the figure shows one.

c) A cosine starts its cycle at a MAXIMUM, so it needs no quarter-period shift: C=1C = 1, g(x)=3cos⁡(π3(x−1))+2g(x) = 3\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{3}(x - 1)\right) + 2. A sine with A=−3A = -3 is reflected, so it starts on the midline going DOWN; after the maximum at 11 the curve crosses the midline downward a quarter period later, at x=2.5x = 2.5: g(x)=−3sin⁡(π3(x−52))+2g(x) = -3\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\left(x - \frac{5}{2}\right)\right) + 2. Check at x=4x = 4: −3sin⁡π2+2=−1-3\sin\frac{\pi}{2} + 2 = -1, the minimum. Three formulas, one graph: CC depends on WHICH function starts the cycle, and adding the period 66 to any CC gives yet another correct formula, which is why the question fixes the interval (−3,3](-3, 3].

d) Use the cosine form: 3cos⁡(π3(x−1))+2=3.53\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{3}(x - 1)\right) + 2 = 3.5 gives cos⁡u=12\cos u = \frac{1}{2} with u=π3(x−1)u = \frac{\pi}{3}(x - 1). For x∈[0,6]x \in [0, 6], uu runs over [−π3,5π3]\left[-\frac{\pi}{3}, \frac{5\pi}{3}\right], and there cos⁡u=12\cos u = \frac{1}{2} at u=−π3u = -\frac{\pi}{3}, u=π3u = \frac{\pi}{3} and u=5π3u = \frac{5\pi}{3}. Back to x=1+3uπx = 1 + \frac{3u}{\pi}: x=0x = 0, x=2x = 2, x=6x = 6. Three solutions, two of them at the ENDS of the interval. Check: g(0)=3cos⁡(−π3)+2=3.5g(0) = 3\cos\left(-\frac{\pi}{3}\right) + 2 = 3.5 and g(6)=3cos⁡5π3+2=3.5g(6) = 3\cos\frac{5\pi}{3} + 2 = 3.5. Solving cos⁡u=12\cos u = \frac{1}{2} on [0,2π][0, 2\pi] out of habit finds only x=2x = 2 and x=6x = 6: the interval for uu must be computed from the interval for xx.

e) Apply each move to the current formula. Compress by 33: sin⁡3x\sin 3x. Shift right π6\frac{\pi}{6}: replace xx by x−π6x - \frac{\pi}{6}, sin⁡(3(x−π6))=sin⁡(3x−π2)\sin\left(3\left(x - \frac{\pi}{6}\right)\right) = \sin\left(3x - \frac{\pi}{2}\right), so c=π2c = \frac{\pi}{2}. At x=π3x = \frac{\pi}{3}: sin⁡(π−π2)=sin⁡π2=1\sin\left(\pi - \frac{\pi}{2}\right) = \sin\frac{\pi}{2} = 1. The student's formula gives sin⁡(π−π6)=sin⁡5π6=12\sin\left(\pi - \frac{\pi}{6}\right) = \sin\frac{5\pi}{6} = \frac{1}{2}: his graph is shifted by only π18\frac{\pi}{18}, since 3x−π6=3(x−π18)3x - \frac{\pi}{6} = 3\left(x - \frac{\pi}{18}\right). The shift multiplies by the coefficient when it goes inside: 3×π6=π23 \times \frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{\pi}{2}. It is the gesture of part a), run backwards.

Part B: problems and reasoning (/50)

Exercise 6: Exponential functions and the laws of exponents: rewrite as one power

For a>0a > 0 and all real xx, yy: axay=ax+ya^x a^y = a^{x + y}, axay=ax−y\frac{a^x}{a^y} = a^{x - y}, (ax)y=axy(a^x)^y = a^{xy}, (ab)x=axbx(ab)^x = a^x b^x, a−x=1axa^{-x} = \frac{1}{a^x}, and am/n=amna^{m/n} = \sqrt[n]{a^m}. The exponential function f(x)=axf(x) = a^x (a>0a > 0, a≠1a \ne 1) is defined for every real xx, takes only positive values, and increases when a>1a > 1; the natural exponential uses e≈2.71828e \approx 2.71828. The laws hold for PRODUCTS and QUOTIENTS of powers, never for sums: nothing simplifies 2x+23x2^x + 2^{3x} except a common factor.

The figure shows the graphs of y=2xy = 2^x and y=x2y = x^2 for −2≤x≤5-2 \le x \le 5. No logarithm is needed anywhere in this exercise.

-2-11234548121620242832y = 2ˣy = x²x
  • a) For x>0x > 0, write x (x−2/3)3x64\frac{\sqrt x\,\left(x^{-2/3}\right)^3}{\sqrt[4]{x^6}} as a single power of xx, and write x2+xx3/2\frac{x^2 + \sqrt x}{x^{3/2}} as a sum of two powers of xx.
  • b) Write (9e4x)1/2(27e−3x)1/3\frac{(9e^{4x})^{1/2}}{(27e^{-3x})^{1/3}} in the form CekxCe^{kx}, and e3x−exex\frac{e^{3x} - e^x}{e^x} in the form ekx−1e^{kx} - 1.
  • c) Let f(x)=3xf(x) = 3^x. Show that f(x+2)=9f(x)f(x + 2) = 9f(x), factor f(x+h)−f(x)f(x + h) - f(x), and show that f(2x)=[f(x)]2f(2x) = [f(x)]^2. Evaluate f(x+h)−f(x)f(x + h) - f(x) for x=2x = 2, h=1h = 1.
  • d) Show that the graph of y=2x+3y = 2^{x + 3} is a vertical stretch of the graph of y=2xy = 2^x, and that y=(14)xy = \left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^x is a reflection and a horizontal compression of it; give both factors. Where do y=2x+3y = 2^{x + 3} and y=(14)xy = \left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^x meet?
  • e) From the figure and a few exact values, compare 2x2^x and x2x^2 at x=3x = 3 and at x=10x = 10, find the two positive values where they are equal, and say how many times the two graphs meet.

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  • a) x−3x^{-3}; x1/2+x−1x^{1/2} + x^{-1}
  • b) e3xe^{3x} (C=1C = 1, k=3k = 3); e2x−1e^{2x} - 1
  • c) 3x+2=32⋅3x3^{x + 2} = 3^2 \cdot 3^x; f(x+h)−f(x)=3x(3h−1)f(x + h) - f(x) = 3^x(3^h - 1); 32x=(3x)23^{2x} = (3^x)^2; value 1818
  • d) 2x+3=8⋅2x2^{x + 3} = 8 \cdot 2^x: stretch by 88; (14)x=2−2x\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^x = 2^{-2x}: reflection in the yy-axis and compression by 22; they meet at (−1,4)(-1, 4)
  • e) At 33: 8<98 < 9; at 1010: 1024>1001024 > 100; equal at x=2x = 2 and x=4x = 4; three meeting points (the third at a negative xx)

a) Rewrite every root as a power FIRST: x=x1/2\sqrt x = x^{1/2}, (x−2/3)3=x−2\left(x^{-2/3}\right)^3 = x^{-2} (multiply the exponents), x64=x6/4=x3/2\sqrt[4]{x^6} = x^{6/4} = x^{3/2}. Then add and subtract the exponents: x1/2−2−3/2=x−3=1x3x^{1/2 - 2 - 3/2} = x^{-3} = \frac{1}{x^3}. Check at x=4x = 4: 2⋅4−243/2=2/168=164=4−3\frac{2 \cdot 4^{-2}}{4^{3/2}} = \frac{2/16}{8} = \frac{1}{64} = 4^{-3}. For the second expression, SPLIT the fraction over its denominator, which is allowed because the sum is in the numerator: x2x3/2+x1/2x3/2=x1/2+x−1\frac{x^2}{x^{3/2}} + \frac{x^{1/2}}{x^{3/2}} = x^{1/2} + x^{-1}. Cancelling the x2x^2 with part of the denominator while forgetting the x\sqrt x is the slip. This rewriting, one power at a time, is exactly what the power rule of chapter 8 will need before it can be used.

b) A power of a product is the product of the powers: (9e4x)1/2=91/2 (e4x)1/2=3e2x(9e^{4x})^{1/2} = 9^{1/2}\,(e^{4x})^{1/2} = 3e^{2x}, and (27e−3x)1/3=271/3 (e−3x)1/3=3e−x(27e^{-3x})^{1/3} = 27^{1/3}\,(e^{-3x})^{1/3} = 3e^{-x}. The quotient is 3e2x3e−x=e2x−(−x)=e3x\frac{3e^{2x}}{3e^{-x}} = e^{2x - (-x)} = e^{3x}: C=1C = 1, k=3k = 3. The minus sign of −(−x)-(-x) is where the answer exe^{x} comes from. For the second, split: e3xex−exex=e2x−1\frac{e^{3x}}{e^x} - \frac{e^x}{e^x} = e^{2x} - 1. Writing e3x−exex=e3x−1\frac{e^{3x} - e^x}{e^x} = e^{3x} - 1, cancelling one exe^x from one term only, is the error a quick check at x=1x = 1 catches: e3−ee=e2−1≈6.39\frac{e^3 - e}{e} = e^2 - 1 \approx 6.39, not e3−1≈19.09e^3 - 1 \approx 19.09.

c) f(x+2)=3x+2=3x⋅32=9⋅3x=9f(x)f(x + 2) = 3^{x + 2} = 3^x \cdot 3^2 = 9 \cdot 3^x = 9f(x): adding 22 to the input MULTIPLIES the output by 99, the signature of an exponential. f(x+h)−f(x)=3x3h−3x=3x(3h−1)f(x + h) - f(x) = 3^x 3^h - 3^x = 3^x(3^h - 1), by factoring the common factor 3x3^x; it is the factorization that the derivative of an exponential will start from. f(2x)=32x=(3x)2=[f(x)]2f(2x) = 3^{2x} = (3^x)^2 = [f(x)]^2. At x=2x = 2, h=1h = 1: 33−32=27−9=183^3 - 3^2 = 27 - 9 = 18, and 32(31−1)=9⋅2=183^2(3^1 - 1) = 9 \cdot 2 = 18. The trap is to treat ff like a linear function: f(x+h)=f(x)+f(h)f(x + h) = f(x) + f(h) would give 33=32+31=123^3 = 3^2 + 3^1 = 12, false.

d) 2x+3=23⋅2x=8⋅2x2^{x + 3} = 2^3 \cdot 2^x = 8 \cdot 2^x: the shift of 33 to the left IS a vertical stretch by 88, a coincidence that only exponential functions have. (14)x=(2−2)x=2−2x\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^x = (2^{-2})^x = 2^{-2x}: inside, xx is replaced by −2x-2x, a reflection in the yy-axis and a horizontal compression by 22. To find where they meet, write both sides in base 22: 2x+3=2−2x2^{x + 3} = 2^{-2x}. An exponential with base 2≠12 \ne 1 takes each value once, so the exponents are equal: x+3=−2xx + 3 = -2x, x=−1x = -1, and y=22=4y = 2^{2} = 4. Check: (14)−1=4\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{-1} = 4. Bringing both sides to ONE base is the whole method; comparing 2x+32^{x+3} and 4−x4^{-x} without it leads nowhere.

e) At x=3x = 3: 23=8<32=92^3 = 8 < 3^2 = 9, so the power is ahead. At x=10x = 10: 210=1024>102=1002^{10} = 1024 > 10^2 = 100, and far ahead: each step of 11 doubles 2x2^x but multiplies x2x^2 by only (x+1x)2\left(\frac{x + 1}{x}\right)^2, which is less than 22 once x≥3x \ge 3. Equality for positive xx: 22=4=222^2 = 4 = 2^2 and 24=16=422^4 = 16 = 4^2, so x=2x = 2 and x=4x = 4, the two crossings on the right of the figure. For negative xx, 2x2^x is small and positive while x2x^2 grows: at x=−1x = -1, 2−1−1=−12<02^{-1} - 1 = -\frac{1}{2} < 0; at x=−12x = -\frac{1}{2}, 2−1/2−14≈0.46>02^{-1/2} - \frac{1}{4} \approx 0.46 > 0; the difference changes sign, the curves cross between −1-1 and −12-\frac{1}{2}, as the figure shows. Three meeting points in all, and for x>4x > 4 the exponential stays above for good.

Exercise 7: Period, range and domain of combined trigonometric and exponential functions

A function ff is periodic with period p>0p > 0 if f(x+p)=f(x)f(x + p) = f(x) for every xx of its domain; THE period is the smallest such pp. sin⁡\sin and cos⁡\cos have period 2π2\pi, tan⁡\tan has period π\pi, and sin⁡(Bx)\sin(Bx) has period 2π∣B∣\frac{2\pi}{|B|}. Before reading a period, a range or a domain, rewrite: a square of a sine is a cosine of the double angle, sin⁡2x=1−cos⁡2x2\sin^2 x = \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2} and cos⁡2x=1+cos⁡2x2\cos^2 x = \frac{1 + \cos 2x}{2}; a composition is read from the inside, the inner function deciding which values the outer one receives.

The figure shows y=sin⁡2xy = \sin^2 x (solid) and y=sin⁡xy = \sin x (dashed) on [−π,2π][-\pi, 2\pi].

-π-π/2π/2π3π/22π1-1y = sin²xy = sin x
  • a) Read the period and the range of y=sin⁡2xy = \sin^2 x on the figure. Prove them by writing sin⁡2x\sin^2 x in the form Acos⁡(Bx)+DA\cos(Bx) + D.
  • b) Find the domain of h(x)=cos⁡xh(x) = \sqrt{\cos x} within [0,2π][0, 2\pi], then the range and the period of q(x)=2sin⁡xq(x) = 2^{\sin x}.
  • c) Find the period of sin⁡3x\sin 3x, of cos⁡2x\cos 2x, and of k(x)=sin⁡3x+cos⁡2xk(x) = \sin 3x + \cos 2x. Prove that no positive number smaller than your answer is a period of kk.
  • d) Find the periods of ∣sin⁡x∣|\sin x|, of cos⁡23x\cos^2 3x and of tan⁡x2\tan\frac{x}{2}.
  • e) Which of xsin⁡xx\sin x, sin⁡(x2)\sin(x^2) and 2cos⁡x2^{\cos x} are periodic? Justify each answer in one line.

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Range ,
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First interval of the domain of hh (in multiples of π\pi) ,
Second interval (in multiples of π\pi) ,
Range of qq ,
c)
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  • a) Period π\pi, range [0,1][0, 1]; sin⁡2x=−12cos⁡2x+12\sin^2 x = -\frac{1}{2}\cos 2x + \frac{1}{2}
  • b) [0,π2]∪[3π2,2π]\left[0, \frac{\pi}{2}\right] \cup \left[\frac{3\pi}{2}, 2\pi\right]; range of qq: [12,2]\left[\frac{1}{2}, 2\right], period 2π2\pi
  • c) 2π3\frac{2\pi}{3}, π\pi, and 2π2\pi for kk: its minimum −2-2 is reached only at π2+2jπ\frac{\pi}{2} + 2j\pi
  • d) π\pi, π3\frac{\pi}{3}, 2π2\pi
  • e) xsin⁡xx\sin x: no; sin⁡(x2)\sin(x^2): no; 2cos⁡x2^{\cos x}: yes, period 2π2\pi

a) On the figure the solid curve repeats between consecutive zeros 00, π\pi, 2π2\pi: period π\pi, half the period of sin⁡x\sin x, because squaring turns every negative arch of the dashed curve into a positive one. Range [0,1][0, 1]. Proof: cos⁡2x=1−2sin⁡2x\cos 2x = 1 - 2\sin^2 x gives sin⁡2x=1−cos⁡2x2=−12cos⁡2x+12\sin^2 x = \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2} = -\frac{1}{2}\cos 2x + \frac{1}{2}: A=−12A = -\frac{1}{2}, B=2B = 2, D=12D = \frac{1}{2}. So the period is 2π2=π\frac{2\pi}{2} = \pi, the midline y=12y = \frac{1}{2}, the amplitude 12\frac{1}{2}, and the range [12−12,12+12]=[0,1]\left[\frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{2}\right] = [0, 1]. Reading the period 2π2\pi of sin⁡x\sin x off the formula sin⁡2x\sin^2 x is the trap; the rewrite shows the angle 2x2x hidden in the square.

b) cos⁡x\sqrt{\cos x} needs cos⁡x≥0\cos x \ge 0: on [0,2π][0, 2\pi], the cosine (the xx-coordinate on the unit circle) is nonnegative in the first and fourth quadrants, including their edges, so the domain is [0,π2]∪[3π2,2π]\left[0, \frac{\pi}{2}\right] \cup \left[\frac{3\pi}{2}, 2\pi\right]. For q(x)=2sin⁡xq(x) = 2^{\sin x}, read inside out: sin⁡x\sin x takes every value of [−1,1][-1, 1], and 2u2^u is increasing, so qq takes every value from 2−1=122^{-1} = \frac{1}{2} to 21=22^1 = 2: range [12,2]\left[\frac{1}{2}, 2\right]. Period: q(x+2π)=2sin⁡(x+2π)=q(x)q(x + 2\pi) = 2^{\sin(x + 2\pi)} = q(x), and no smaller period works because q=2q = 2 only where sin⁡x=1\sin x = 1, at π2+2jπ\frac{\pi}{2} + 2j\pi, 2π2\pi apart. Giving the range [−2,2][-2, 2], as if 2sin⁡x2^{\sin x} were 2sin⁡x2\sin x, confuses an exponent with a factor.

c) sin⁡3x\sin 3x has period 2π3\frac{2\pi}{3} and cos⁡2x\cos 2x has period π\pi. A period of the sum must bring BOTH back, so it must be a common multiple of 2π3\frac{2\pi}{3} and π\pi: m⋅2π3=nπm \cdot \frac{2\pi}{3} = n\pi needs 2m=3n2m = 3n, first with m=3m = 3, n=2n = 2, which gives 2π2\pi. So 2π2\pi is a period of kk. Smaller ones are ruled out by a value reached rarely: k(x)=−2k(x) = -2 needs sin⁡3x=−1\sin 3x = -1 AND cos⁡2x=−1\cos 2x = -1. The second gives x=π2+nπx = \frac{\pi}{2} + n\pi, the first x=π2+2mπ3x = \frac{\pi}{2} + \frac{2m\pi}{3}; both hold when nπ=2mπ3n\pi = \frac{2m\pi}{3}, that is at x=π2+2jπx = \frac{\pi}{2} + 2j\pi only. The minimum is reached exactly once every 2π2\pi, so no period is smaller: the period is 2π2\pi. Answering π\pi (the larger of the two periods) fails at once: k(π2)=−2k\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = -2 while k(3π2)=sin⁡9π2+cos⁡3π=0k\left(\frac{3\pi}{2}\right) = \sin\frac{9\pi}{2} + \cos 3\pi = 0.

d) ∣sin⁡(x+π)∣=∣−sin⁡x∣=∣sin⁡x∣|\sin(x + \pi)| = |-\sin x| = |\sin x|, and ∣sin⁡x∣=0|\sin x| = 0 only at multiples of π\pi, so the period is π\pi. Rewrite the square: cos⁡23x=1+cos⁡6x2\cos^2 3x = \frac{1 + \cos 6x}{2}, period 2π6=π3\frac{2\pi}{6} = \frac{\pi}{3}, not the 2π3\frac{2\pi}{3} of cos⁡3x\cos 3x. For the tangent the base period is π\pi, not 2π2\pi: tan⁡x2\tan\frac{x}{2} has period π1/2=2π\frac{\pi}{1/2} = 2\pi. Two formulas are mixed on many copies here: 2π∣B∣\frac{2\pi}{|B|} for sin⁡\sin and cos⁡\cos, π∣B∣\frac{\pi}{|B|} for tan⁡\tan.

e) xsin⁡xx\sin x: no. Its zeros are the multiples of π\pi, but its values grow without bound in size, for instance xsin⁡x=xx\sin x = x at x=π2+2jπx = \frac{\pi}{2} + 2j\pi, so no shift can bring the graph back onto itself. sin⁡(x2)\sin(x^2): no. Its zeros are at x=jπx = \sqrt{j\pi}, and the gaps between them, (j+1)π−jπ\sqrt{(j + 1)\pi} - \sqrt{j\pi}, shrink as jj grows, while a periodic function repeats its zeros at equal spacing. 2cos⁡x2^{\cos x}: yes, period 2π2\pi, since the inner function has that period and 2u2^u takes each value once; composing ANY function after a periodic inner function keeps the result periodic, while composing a periodic function after x2x^2 does not.

Exercise 8: Five statements to correct

Each statement below was written by a student on a MATH 203 assignment, and each is false. Say what is wrong, give a counterexample with numbers, and write the correct statement.

  • a) sin⁡2x=2sin⁡x\sin 2x = 2\sin x for every xx.
  • b) cos⁡2x\cos^2 x and cos⁡(x2)\cos(x^2) are two ways of writing the same function.
  • c) sin⁡30=12\sin 30 = \frac{1}{2}.
  • d) The domain of fg\frac{f}{g} is the set of numbers that are in the domain of ff and in the domain of gg.
  • e) x−2/3=−x23x^{-2/3} = -\sqrt[3]{x^2} for every x>0x > 0.

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c)
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  • a) False: at x=π2x = \frac{\pi}{2}, sin⁡π=0≠2\sin\pi = 0 \ne 2. sin⁡2x=2sin⁡xcos⁡x\sin 2x = 2\sin x\cos x.
  • b) False: at x=πx = \pi, cos⁡2π=1\cos^2\pi = 1 but cos⁡(π2)≈−0.9027\cos(\pi^2) \approx -0.9027. cos⁡2x=(cos⁡x)2\cos^2 x = (\cos x)^2.
  • c) False: sin⁡30≈−0.9880\sin 30 \approx -0.9880 (radians). sin⁡30∘=sin⁡π6=12\sin 30^\circ = \sin\frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{1}{2}.
  • d) False: xx2−9\frac{x}{x^2 - 9} is undefined at ±3\pm 3. Remove also the zeros of gg.
  • e) False: 8−2/3=148^{-2/3} = \frac{1}{4}, not −4-4. x−2/3=1x23x^{-2/3} = \frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{x^2}}.

a) FALSE. At x=π2x = \frac{\pi}{2}: sin⁡2x=sin⁡π=0\sin 2x = \sin\pi = 0, while 2sin⁡π2=22\sin\frac{\pi}{2} = 2. Doubling the ANGLE does not double the sine: the sine of an angle is at most 11, so 2sin⁡x2\sin x, which reaches 22, cannot be a sine at all. Correct statement: sin⁡2x=2sin⁡xcos⁡x\sin 2x = 2\sin x\cos x for every xx. The two expressions agree only where 2sin⁡xcos⁡x=2sin⁡x2\sin x\cos x = 2\sin x, that is sin⁡x (cos⁡x−1)=0\sin x\,(\cos x - 1) = 0, at the multiples of π\pi, which is why a check at x=0x = 0 does not catch the error.

b) FALSE. cos⁡2x\cos^2 x means (cos⁡x)2(\cos x)^2: first the cosine, then the square. cos⁡(x2)\cos(x^2) squares first, then takes the cosine. At x=πx = \pi: (cos⁡π)2=(−1)2=1(\cos\pi)^2 = (-1)^2 = 1, while cos⁡(π2)≈cos⁡(9.8696)≈−0.9027\cos(\pi^2) \approx \cos(9.8696) \approx -0.9027. The two functions do not even share a period: cos⁡2x\cos^2 x has period π\pi, and cos⁡(x2)\cos(x^2) is not periodic. Correct statement: cos⁡2x=(cos⁡x)2\cos^2 x = (\cos x)^2, a composition whose OUTER layer is the square; the same convention holds for sin⁡3x\sin^3 x, tan⁡2x\tan^2 x, but NOT for sin⁡−1x\sin^{-1} x, which chapter 13 will define differently.

c) FALSE as written. Without a degree sign, 3030 is 3030 RADIANS, almost five turns: sin⁡30≈−0.9880\sin 30 \approx -0.9880, which is what a calculator in radian mode returns. 3030 radians is 30×180π≈1718.9∘30 \times \frac{180}{\pi} \approx 1718.9^\circ, and 1718.9−4×360=278.9∘1718.9 - 4 \times 360 = 278.9^\circ, an angle of the fourth quadrant where the sine is negative, as found. Correct statement: sin⁡30∘=sin⁡π6=12\sin 30^\circ = \sin\frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{1}{2}. In calculus a number with no unit is in radians, always.

d) FALSE. Take f(x)=xf(x) = x and g(x)=x2−9g(x) = x^2 - 9: both are defined on all of R\mathbb{R}, yet fg(3)=30\frac{f}{g}(3) = \frac{3}{0} does not exist, nor does fg(−3)\frac{f}{g}(-3). Correct statement (Thomas 1.2): the domain of fg\frac{f}{g} is the set of xx in the domain of ff and in the domain of gg for which g(x)≠0g(x) \ne 0. Here, R∖{−3,3}\mathbb{R} \setminus \{-3, 3\}: two values removed, found by FACTORING x2−9=(x−3)(x+3)x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3), not only x=3x = 3.

e) FALSE. A negative exponent means a RECIPROCAL, never a negative number: x−2/3=1x2/3=1x23x^{-2/3} = \frac{1}{x^{2/3}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{x^2}}. Counterexample x=8x = 8: 82/3=(83)2=48^{2/3} = (\sqrt[3]8)^2 = 4, so 8−2/3=148^{-2/3} = \frac{1}{4}, while the statement gives −4-4. And for x>0x > 0 every power xrx^r is POSITIVE, whatever the sign of rr, so a negative right-hand side could never be right. This is the rewrite on which the power rule depends: 1x23\frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{x^2}} must become x−2/3x^{-2/3} before chapter 8 can differentiate it.

Exercise 9: A tide modelled by a sinusoid: when can the ship leave?

In a harbour, on a given day, high tide brings the water to a depth of 7.47.4 m at 4:00, and the next low tide, 1.81.8 m, comes at 10:12. Between them the depth follows a sinusoid. Let h(t)h(t) be the depth in metres, tt hours after midnight (so 10:12 is t=10.2t = 10.2), and model it by h(t)=Acos⁡(B(t−C))+Dh(t) = A\cos(B(t - C)) + D with A>0A > 0, B>0B > 0.

The figure shows the model over one day. Calculator in RADIAN mode; the times asked in d) come out of exact values of the unit circle.

2468101214161820222412345678high 7.4 m at 4:00low 1.8 m at 10:12t (hours after midnight)depth h (m)
  • a) Find DD, AA, the period and BB.
  • b) Explain why C=4C = 4 is a correct choice, write the model, and compute the depth at 8:00 to the nearest centimetre.
  • c) Find the times of the next high tide and of the low tide after it.
  • d) A ship needs at least 3.23.2 m of water. Between 4:00 and the next high tide, find exactly when the depth is below 3.23.2 m, and give the times to the minute.
  • e) If the model keeps its period, at what time is the first high tide of the next day? By how many minutes does high tide move each day?

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b)
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  • a) D=4.6D = 4.6, A=2.8A = 2.8, period 12.412.4 h, B=2π12.4≈0.5067B = \frac{2\pi}{12.4} \approx 0.5067
  • b) The cosine starts at its maximum, at t=4t = 4; h(t)=2.8cos⁡(2π12.4(t−4))+4.6h(t) = 2.8\cos\left(\frac{2\pi}{12.4}(t - 4)\right) + 4.6; h(8)≈3.37h(8) \approx 3.37 m
  • c) High tide at t=16.4t = 16.4 (16:24), low tide at t=22.6t = 22.6 (22:36)
  • d) From t=4+12.43≈8.13t = 4 + \frac{12.4}{3} \approx 8.13 (8:08) to t=4+24.83≈12.27t = 4 + \frac{24.8}{3} \approx 12.27 (12:16), about 4.134.13 h
  • e) At t=28.8t = 28.8, that is 4:48 the next day; high tide moves 4848 minutes later each day

a) Midline halfway between high and low: D=7.4+1.82=4.6D = \frac{7.4 + 1.8}{2} = 4.6 m. Amplitude, half the range: A=7.4−1.82=2.8A = \frac{7.4 - 1.8}{2} = 2.8 m. From a high tide to the next low tide is HALF a period: 10.2−4=6.210.2 - 4 = 6.2 h, so the period is 12.412.4 h. Then B=2π12.4=π6.2≈0.5067B = \frac{2\pi}{12.4} = \frac{\pi}{6.2} \approx 0.5067 per hour. Converting 10:12 as 10.1210.12 instead of 10+1260=10.210 + \frac{12}{60} = 10.2 is the unit slip that shifts everything: minutes are sixtieths of an hour, not hundredths.

b) A cosine Acos⁡(B(t−C))+DA\cos(B(t - C)) + D with A>0A > 0 is at its MAXIMUM when the angle is 00, at t=Ct = C. The first maximum is at t=4t = 4, so C=4C = 4: h(t)=2.8cos⁡(2π12.4(t−4))+4.6h(t) = 2.8\cos\left(\frac{2\pi}{12.4}(t - 4)\right) + 4.6. Check the low tide: h(10.2)=2.8cos⁡π+4.6=1.8h(10.2) = 2.8\cos\pi + 4.6 = 1.8. At 8:00: the angle is 2π12.4×4≈2.0268\frac{2\pi}{12.4} \times 4 \approx 2.0268 rad, cos⁡2.0268≈−0.4404\cos 2.0268 \approx -0.4404, so h(8)≈4.6−1.2331=3.37h(8) \approx 4.6 - 1.2331 = 3.37 m. In degree mode the calculator returns cos⁡(2.0268∘)≈0.9994\cos(2.0268^\circ) \approx 0.9994 and a depth of 7.407.40 m, the high tide four hours after it has passed: the wrong mode gives a plausible but false number, which is why the mode is checked first.

c) The maxima repeat every period: 4+12.4=16.44 + 12.4 = 16.4, that is 16:24 (since 0.40.4 h =24= 24 min). The minima are half a period after each maximum: 16.4+6.2=22.616.4 + 6.2 = 22.6, that is 22:36. On the figure, these are the third and fourth marked points. Adding 12.412.4 to 4:00 as if it were a time, 4:00 plus 12:40, gives 16:40, the base-6060 slip again.

d) Solve h(t)=3.2h(t) = 3.2: 2.8cos⁡u+4.6=3.22.8\cos u + 4.6 = 3.2 with u=2π12.4(t−4)u = \frac{2\pi}{12.4}(t - 4), so cos⁡u=−1.42.8=−12\cos u = \frac{-1.4}{2.8} = -\frac{1}{2}. Between the high tides at t=4t = 4 and t=16.4t = 16.4, uu runs over [0,2π][0, 2\pi], and cos⁡u=−12\cos u = -\frac{1}{2} at u=2π3u = \frac{2\pi}{3} and u=4π3u = \frac{4\pi}{3}, a third and two thirds of the cycle. So t−4=12.43≈4.133t - 4 = \frac{12.4}{3} \approx 4.133 and t−4=2×12.43≈8.267t - 4 = \frac{2 \times 12.4}{3} \approx 8.267: t≈8.133t \approx 8.133 (8:08) and t≈12.267t \approx 12.267 (12:16). Between them cos⁡u<−12\cos u < -\frac{1}{2} and the depth is below 3.23.2 m: the ship cannot move from 8:08 to 12:16, about 4.134.13 h, 44 h 88 min. The exact angles are what make the times exact; a solution that only tests a few hours cannot give them to the minute.

e) Each high tide comes 12.412.4 h after the previous one: 44, 16.416.4, 28.828.8. The third one is 28.8−24=4.828.8 - 24 = 4.8 h after the next midnight, that is 4:48 the next day. Two periods, 24.824.8 h, exceed a day by 0.80.8 h =48= 48 min: high tide comes 4848 minutes later each day, which is why tide tables must be printed day by day. The model is idealized (real tides also vary in height through the month), but its period is the part that holds best.

Exercise 10: A final exam problem: fuel economy, a composition of unit conversions

Fuel economy is quoted in miles per US gallon (mpg) in the United States, in litres per 100100 km in Canada. Use 11 mile =1.609344= 1.609344 km and 11 US gallon =3.785412= 3.785412 L. Let k(m)k(m) be the distance in km travelled per litre by a car that does mm mpg, and h(E)=100Eh(E) = \frac{100}{E} the consumption in litres per 100100 km of a car that travels EE km per litre.

The figure shows the consumption c=h(k(m))c = h(k(m)) in L per 100100 km against mm, with the two cars of part c). Calculator allowed.

1015202530354045505560510152025car A: 15 to 20car B: 40 to 50c = h(k(m))m (miles per US gallon)c (L per 100 km)
  • a) Show that k(m)=1.6093443.785412 mk(m) = \frac{1.609344}{3.785412}\,m, then compute k(30)k(30) and h(k(30))h(k(30)) to two decimals.
  • b) Write c(m)=(h∘k)(m)c(m) = (h \circ k)(m) as Km\frac{K}{m}, giving KK to two decimals, and the domain of the model. Does k(h(30))k(h(30)) mean anything?
  • c) Car A improves from 1515 to 2020 mpg, car B from 4040 to 5050 mpg. For each, find the fuel saved per 100100 km, and say which improvement saves more.
  • d) To what fuel economy would car B have to go from 4040 mpg to save as much fuel per 100100 km as car A? Give an exact answer.
  • e) In the United Kingdom, mpg uses the imperial gallon, 4.546094.54609 L. Write the conversion uu from miles per imperial gallon to miles per US gallon, then find the US rating and the consumption in L per 100100 km of a car rated 3636 mpg (imperial).

Type your answers, the page tells you right or wrong 0/12

a)
b)
Domain of the model ,
c)
d)
e)
Show the solution

Answers

  • a) k(30)≈12.75k(30) \approx 12.75 km/L; h(k(30))≈7.84h(k(30)) \approx 7.84 L per 100100 km
  • b) c(m)=235.21mc(m) = \frac{235.21}{m}, m>0m > 0; k(h(30))k(h(30)) has no meaning (its units are not those of kk's input)
  • c) A saves ≈3.92\approx 3.92 L, B ≈1.18\approx 1.18 L per 100100 km: A saves more
  • d) 120120 mpg
  • e) u(i)=3.7854124.54609 i≈0.8327 iu(i) = \frac{3.785412}{4.54609}\,i \approx 0.8327\,i; u(36)≈29.98u(36) \approx 29.98 US mpg; ≈7.85\approx 7.85 L per 100100 km

a) Follow the units: mm miles per gallon is m×1.609344m \times 1.609344 km per 3.7854123.785412 L, so per litre, k(m)=1.6093443.785412 m≈0.42514 mk(m) = \frac{1.609344}{3.785412}\,m \approx 0.42514\,m km/L. Then k(30)≈12.75k(30) \approx 12.75 km/L and h(12.754)=10012.754≈7.84h(12.754) = \frac{100}{12.754} \approx 7.84 L per 100100 km. Writing the units at every step is the check: multiplying by 3.7854123.785412 instead of dividing would give km times litres per gallon squared, a unit that means nothing, and 0.42510.4251 km/L for 11 mpg is sensible because a mile is less than half of a gallon's worth of litres.

b) Compose, inner function first: c(m)=h(k(m))=1000.425144 m=100×3.7854121.609344⋅1m≈235.21mc(m) = h(k(m)) = \frac{100}{0.425144\,m} = \frac{100 \times 3.785412}{1.609344}\cdot\frac{1}{m} \approx \frac{235.21}{m}. Domain of the formula: m≠0m \ne 0; domain of the MODEL: m>0m > 0, a fuel economy being positive. The composition in the other order, k(h(30))k(h(30)), computes h(30)=103h(30) = \frac{10}{3} and feeds it to kk as if it were in mpg: kk expects miles per US gallon, and h(30)h(30) would be litres per 100100 km of a car doing 3030 km per litre, another unit. A composition makes sense only when the OUTPUT of the inner function has the units of the INPUT of the outer one. That is the real content of the domain condition in a model.

c) Car A: c(15)−c(20)=235.21(115−120)=235.2160≈3.92c(15) - c(20) = 235.21\left(\frac{1}{15} - \frac{1}{20}\right) = \frac{235.21}{60} \approx 3.92 L per 100100 km. Car B: c(40)−c(50)=235.21(140−150)=235.21200≈1.18c(40) - c(50) = 235.21\left(\frac{1}{40} - \frac{1}{50}\right) = \frac{235.21}{200} \approx 1.18 L per 100100 km. The SMALLER gain in mpg, 55 against 1010, saves more than three times as much fuel. The figure shows why: cc is a multiple of 1m\frac{1}{m}, whose graph is steep for small mm and flat for large mm. The common denominator is the algebra step: 115−120=4−360\frac{1}{15} - \frac{1}{20} = \frac{4 - 3}{60}.

d) We need 235.21(140−1m)=235.2160235.21\left(\frac{1}{40} - \frac{1}{m}\right) = \frac{235.21}{60}. The constant CANCELS, which is why the answer is exact: 1m=140−160=3−2120=1120\frac{1}{m} = \frac{1}{40} - \frac{1}{60} = \frac{3 - 2}{120} = \frac{1}{120}, so m=120m = 120 mpg. Tripling the rating of car B saves as much as the 55 mpg of car A. Check: 235.2140−235.21120=5.880−1.960=3.92\frac{235.21}{40} - \frac{235.21}{120} = 5.880 - 1.960 = 3.92. Inverting 140−160\frac{1}{40} - \frac{1}{60} as 40−6040 - 60 is the slip; subtract the fractions first, invert last.

e) ii miles per imperial gallon is ii miles per 4.546094.54609 L, so per US gallon of 3.7854123.785412 L it is u(i)=3.7854124.54609 i≈0.8327 iu(i) = \frac{3.785412}{4.54609}\,i \approx 0.8327\,i miles. So u(36)≈29.98u(36) \approx 29.98 mpg (US), and the consumption is c(u(36))=235.2129.976≈7.85c(u(36)) = \frac{235.21}{29.976} \approx 7.85 L per 100100 km. The same car is rated 3636 in the United Kingdom and about 3030 in the United States, only because the gallons differ; the consumption in L per 100100 km, which does not depend on gallons, is the rating to compare. As a composition, c∘uc \circ u converts in two layers, and each layer is checked by its units.

© Ahmed Squalli Houssaini. Exercise set published at www.letuteurscientifique.ca/en/exercices/math203-functions-review. Free for personal and classroom use; republishing it elsewhere requires written permission (legal notice).

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