Math Problem Statement

Find the truth set of each of these predicates where the domain is the set of integers. a) P(x): x^2<=4x

Solution

To find the truth set of the predicate P(x):x24xP(x): x^2 \leq 4x, we will solve the inequality x24xx^2 \leq 4x for integer values of xx.

Step 1: Rewrite the inequality

We start by rewriting the inequality: x24xx^2 \leq 4x Subtract 4x4x from both sides: x24x0x^2 - 4x \leq 0 Factor the left-hand side: x(x4)0x(x - 4) \leq 0

Step 2: Solve the inequality x(x4)0x(x - 4) \leq 0

To solve the inequality x(x4)0x(x - 4) \leq 0, we determine the critical points by setting each factor equal to 0: x=0orx4=0x=4x = 0 \quad \text{or} \quad x - 4 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = 4 These are the points where the expression changes sign.

Step 3: Test intervals around the critical points

The critical points divide the real line into three intervals:

  1. (,0)(-\infty, 0)
  2. (0,4)(0, 4)
  3. (4,)(4, \infty)

Now, test the sign of x(x4)x(x - 4) in each interval:

  • For x(,0)x \in (-\infty, 0) (e.g., x=1x = -1): (1)(14)=(1)(5)=5>0(-1)(-1 - 4) = (-1)(-5) = 5 > 0 The product is positive, so P(x)P(x) is false in this interval.

  • For x(0,4)x \in (0, 4) (e.g., x=2x = 2): 2(24)=2(2)=4<02(2 - 4) = 2(-2) = -4 < 0 The product is negative, so P(x)P(x) is true in this interval.

  • For x(4,)x \in (4, \infty) (e.g., x=5x = 5): 5(54)=5(1)=5>05(5 - 4) = 5(1) = 5 > 0 The product is positive, so P(x)P(x) is false in this interval.

Step 4: Check the critical points x=0x = 0 and x=4x = 4

  • At x=0x = 0: 0(04)=00(0 - 4) = 0 So, P(0)P(0) is true.

  • At x=4x = 4: 4(44)=04(4 - 4) = 0 So, P(4)P(4) is true.

Step 5: Conclusion

The truth set of the predicate P(x):x24xP(x): x^2 \leq 4x is the set of integers xx for which x(x4)0x(x - 4) \leq 0, i.e., {xZ0x4}.\boxed{\{ x \in \mathbb{Z} \mid 0 \leq x \leq 4 \}}. In interval notation, the truth set is {0,1,2,3,4}\{0, 1, 2, 3, 4\}.

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are five related questions:

  1. How would the truth set change if the domain were all real numbers instead of integers?
  2. How can we determine the solution graphically?
  3. What happens if we modify the predicate to P(x):x2<4xP(x): x^2 < 4x?
  4. How would the inequality change if the coefficient of xx were different?
  5. Can this method be applied to solve other quadratic inequalities?

Tip: When solving quadratic inequalities, always factor the expression and check the sign of the product over different intervals.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Quadratic Inequalities
Factoring

Formulas

Quadratic Inequality: ax^2 + bx + c <= 0
Factoring: x(x - a)

Theorems

Quadratic Inequality Solutions
Critical Point Theorem
Sign Test for Inequalities

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11