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For some reason, I'm having a hard time solving for $x$ in this equation: $x^2=y,-2\lt x \lt 3.$ I could use some help. Thanks.

2 Answers 2

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Without the constraint $-2 < x <3$, the solution to $x^2 = y$ is given by $x = \sqrt{y} \text{ or } - \sqrt{y}$ whenever $y \geq 0$. The constraint $-2 < x <3$ demands that $\sqrt{y} \in [0,3)$ and $-\sqrt{y} \in (-2,0]$. Hence, this translates into $y \in [0,9)$ and $y \in [0,4)$ respectively.

Hence, we now need to split this into cases.

First we need $y \geq 0$. Else there are no solutions. Hence, we assume $y \geq 0$.

Next, if $y < 4$, then $x = \sqrt{y}$ or $x = -\sqrt{y}$. Note that since $y <4$, we have that $\pm \sqrt{y} \in (-2,3)$.

Next, if $4 \leq y < 9$, then $x = \sqrt{y}$. This is so since $-\sqrt{y} < -2$ whenever $4 \leq y < 9$. But $\sqrt{y} \in [2,3) \subset (-2,3)$, since $4 \leq y < 9$.

If $y \geq 9$, then $\sqrt{y} \geq 3$ and $-\sqrt{y} \leq -3$. Hence, no solution.

Hence, to summarize $x = \begin{cases} \text{No solution} & \text{ if }y<0\\ \sqrt{y} \text{ or } -\sqrt{y}& \text{ if }0 \leq y < 4\\ \sqrt{y} & \text{ if }4 \leq y < 9\\ \text{No solution} & \text{ if } y \geq 9 \end{cases}$

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    Thanks. the motivation certainly helped! :)2012-06-04
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First thing one notices in such cases is that when $y=x^2$ means $y$ cannot be negative. So we'll keep in mind that $y \geq 0$.

Since $-2 then we have $4 and $4. In this case, $y=x^2$ and $x= \pm \sqrt y$ conclusively.

But what will happen When $ 0 \leq y <4$ or $y \geq 9$?

$ 0 \leq y <4 \implies 0 \leq x^2 <4 \implies -2 which is a subset of $-3 therefore $x= \pm \sqrt y$.

$y \geq 9\implies x^2 \geq 9 \implies x \geq 3$ and since it has no intersection with $-3, there is no solution.

Finally,

$x=\pm \sqrt y, 0 \leq y <9 $