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Refer to these three functions: $$ \begin{aligned} f(x) &=\sqrt{x+3}-x+1 \\ g(t) &=t^{2}-1 \\ h(x) &=x^{2}+\frac{1}{x}+2 \end{aligned} $$ In each case, find the indicated value of the function. $$f(\sqrt{2}-1)$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: $$f(\sqrt{2}-1) = \sqrt{\sqrt{2} + 2} -\sqrt{2}+2$$

Step by step solution

01

Write down the given function

We are given the function: $$ f(x) = \sqrt{x+3} - x + 1 $$ And we need to find the value of this function when x is equal to √2 - 1, so we want to find $$f(\sqrt{2}-1)$$.
02

Substitute the given value of x

Next, plug in the given value of x (√2 - 1) into the function f(x): $$ f(\sqrt{2}-1) = \sqrt{(\sqrt{2}-1)+3} - (\sqrt{2}-1) + 1 $$
03

Simplify the expression

Now, we need to simplify the expression. First, focus on the term inside the square root: $$ (\sqrt{2}-1) + 3 = \sqrt{2} - 1 + 3 = \sqrt{2} + 2 $$ Now we can rewrite the function as: $$ f(\sqrt{2}-1) = \sqrt{\sqrt{2} + 2} - (\sqrt{2} - 1) + 1 $$ Next, let's simplify the terms outside the square root: $$ -\sqrt{2}+1+1 = -\sqrt{2}+2 $$ So the function becomes: $$ f(\sqrt{2}-1) = \sqrt{\sqrt{2} + 2} -\sqrt{2}+2 $$
04

Final Answer

By now, we have simplified the expression as much as possible. The value of the function f at x = √2 - 1 is: $$ f(\sqrt{2}-1) = \sqrt{\sqrt{2} + 2} -\sqrt{2}+2 $$

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Square Root Simplification
The process of square root simplification involves reducing an expression within a square root to its simplest form, making it easier to understand and to further manipulate algebraically.

Let's apply this to our exercise. We start with the expression \(\sqrt{x+3}\). Our goal is to evaluate \( f(\sqrt{2}-1) \) which requires us to first simplify \( \sqrt{(\sqrt{2}-1)+3} \) to \( \sqrt{\sqrt{2} + 2} \). It is crucial to combine like terms and consolidate the expression under the square root before we attempt to simplify further.

Remember that square root simplification does not always result in an integer or a rational number. Sometimes, like in this case, the simplified form still includes a square root. However, the expression is in a more manageable form, making it easier to evaluate the function or to perform additional operations.
Function Substitution
The technique of function substitution is an instrumental part of evaluating functions. In essence, it entails replacing the variable in a function expression with a specific value or another expression to compute the function's output.

For example, when we are tasked with finding \(f(\sqrt{2}-1)\), we substitute \(x\) in the function \(f(x) = \sqrt{x+3} - x + 1\) with \(\sqrt{2}-1\). This means every instance of \(x\) is replaced, resulting in a new expression \(f(\sqrt{2}-1) = \sqrt{(\sqrt{2}-1)+3} - (\sqrt{2}-1) + 1\), which we then simplify. Substitution is a fundamental concept that helps us understand how functions behave with different inputs.
Algebraic Expressions
An algebraic expression is a mathematic statement that includes numbers, variables (like \(x\) or \(t\)), and operation signs. Algebraic expressions are pivotal in representing relationships and solving equations in mathematics.

In this exercise, the expressions inside the functions \(f(x)\), \(g(t)\), and \(h(x)\) are all examples of algebraic expressions. These expressions can become quite complex, and simplifying them is crucial to solve the function evaluations. Through simplification, such as combining like terms and applying arithmetic operations, we turn the expressions into a more accessible form. For example, we simplified \(\sqrt{(\sqrt{2}-1)+3}\) to \(\sqrt{\sqrt{2} + 2}\), which is still an algebraic expression, albeit a simpler one. The ability to manipulate these expressions is essential in various fields of mathematics and beyond.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Write the given function as the composite of two functions, neither of which is the identity function, as in Examples 6 and 7 . (There may be more than one way to do this.) $$f(x)=\sqrt[3]{x^{2}+2}$$

Write the rule of a function g whose graph can be obtained from the graph of the function \(f\) by performing the transformations in the order given. \(f(x)=\sqrt{-x} ;\) shift the graph horizontally 3 units to the left, then reflect it in the \(x\) -axis, and shrink it toward the \(x\) -axis by a factor of \(1 / 2\).

In each part, compute \(g(a), g(b),\) and \(g(a b),\) and determine whether the satement " \(g(a b)=g(a) \cdot g(b)\) " is true or false for the given function. (a) \(g(x)=x^{3}\) (b) \(g(x)=5 x\) (c) \(g(x)=-2\)

Compute and simplify the difference quotient of the function. $$f(x)=x^{2}+3$$

A plane flies from Austin, Texas, to Cleveland, Ohio, a distance of 1200 miles. Let \(f\) be the function whose rule is \(f(t)=\) distance (in miles) from Austin at time \(t\) hours. Draw a plausible graph of \(f\) under the given circumstances. IThere are many possible correct answers for each part. \(]\) (a) The flight is nonstop and takes less than 4 hours. (b) Bad weather forces the plane to land in Dallas (about 200 miles from Austin), remain overnight (for 8 hours), and continue the next day. (c) The flight is nonstop, but owing to heavy traffic, the plane must fly in a holding pattern over Cincinnati (about 200 miles from Cleveland) for an hour before going on to Cleveland.

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