Chapter 11: Problem 19
\(x=t, \quad y=\sqrt{t^{2}-2 t+1} ; \quad 0 \leq t \leq 4\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function y is piecewise: \( y = 1-t \) for 0 \( \leq t < 1 \) and \( y = t-1 \) for \( t \geq 1 \).
Step by step solution
01
Analyze the equation
The given equation for y is \( y = \sqrt{t^2 - 2t + 1} \). Notice that the expression inside the square root is \( t^2 - 2t + 1 \).
02
Recognize the perfect square
The expression \( t^2 - 2t + 1 \) can be rewritten as \( (t-1)^2 \). This is a perfect square, making the equation \( y = \sqrt{(t-1)^2} \).
03
Simplify the square root
Since \( y = \sqrt{(t-1)^2} \), the square root simplifies to an absolute value, resulting in \( y = |t-1| \).
04
Determine the expression for y based on the domain
Considering the domain \( 0 \leq t \leq 4 \), the absolute value function \( |t-1| \) should be evaluated as: for \( 0 \leq t < 1 \), \( y = 1 - t \); for \( t \geq 1 \), \( y = t - 1 \).
05
Conclusion
The piecewise function for \( y \) is: \( y = 1-t \) for \( 0 \leq t < 1 \) and \( y = t-1 \) for \( t \geq 1 \). This reflects the V-shaped graph characteristic to absolute value functions.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Absolute Value Functions
An absolute value function takes a number and turns it into its non-negative value. For example, the absolute value of both \( 3 \) and \( -3 \) is 3, as it measures the distance from zero on the number line.
Absolute value functions often have a characteristic V-shape on a graph. This is due to how they convert negative results into positive ones.
In the example, the function \( y = |t-1| \) means:
Absolute value functions often have a characteristic V-shape on a graph. This is due to how they convert negative results into positive ones.
In the example, the function \( y = |t-1| \) means:
- If \( t \) is less than \( 1 \), the value inside the absolute value becomes negative, leading to \( y = 1-t \).
- For \( t \) greater than or equal to \( 1 \), the expression remains positive, thus \( y = t-1 \).
Perfect Square Expressions
The expression \( t^2 - 2t + 1 \) is known as a perfect square. A perfect square comes from multiplying a binomial by itself. Recognizing these can simplify many mathematical processes.
Think of it like \( (t-1)^2 \), which when expanded, becomes \( t^2 - 2t + 1 \). This recognition is key to simplifying expressions.
When dealing with square roots of perfect squares, it simplifies dramatically. For instance:
Think of it like \( (t-1)^2 \), which when expanded, becomes \( t^2 - 2t + 1 \). This recognition is key to simplifying expressions.
When dealing with square roots of perfect squares, it simplifies dramatically. For instance:
- \( \sqrt{(t-1)^2} = |t-1| \).
Domain and Range in Functions
When analyzing functions, "domain" refers to all the possible input values (typically \( t \), \( x \), etc.), and "range" pertains to all the possible outputs (\( y \)).
For the function \( y = |t-1| \), and given \( 0 \leq t \leq 4 \), the domain is \( 0 \) to \( 4 \). This specifies the allowed values for \( t \).
With absolute value functions, the range is typically every non-negative number the function can output.
For the function \( y = |t-1| \), and given \( 0 \leq t \leq 4 \), the domain is \( 0 \) to \( 4 \). This specifies the allowed values for \( t \).
With absolute value functions, the range is typically every non-negative number the function can output.
- In this case, since \( |t-1| \) is never negative, the range will be from \( 0 \) to the maximum output when \( t = 4 \), which would be \( 3 \).