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$$ \frac{\sqrt{4 + \arccos\left|\frac{2-x}{x+3}\right|}}{\sqrt{x^2 - 4x + 5} - 3} $$ I'm trying to find the natural domain of the function above. I set up this conditions:
$$ \begin{cases}\sqrt{x^2 - 4x + 5} - 3\neq0&(denominator)\\x^2 - 4x + 5\ge0&(root)\\4 + \arccos\left|\frac{2-x}{x+3}\right|\ge0&(root)\\\left|\frac{2-x}{x+3}\right|\ge-1\cup\left|\frac{2-x}{x+3}\right|\le1&(arccos)\end{cases} $$
Now I know that is necessary to set up two more conditions: the existence condition of the absolute value, and the existence condition of the fraction denominator. But I don't know how to deal with absolute values. Could someone explain it to me maybe using this example?

Note: These are not homework, but an exercise chose, because has an absolute value inside, to understand the theory.

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    The last condition should be really a intersection.2012-01-26
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    I am not sure if calculus tag is right.2012-01-26
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    I think Calculus tag is alright because, this is the first time, functions are learnt for their own sake. Domain and range problems are one of the first ones that a Calculus student faces!2012-01-26
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    @KannappanSampath: Domain and range is pre-calculus, isn't it? Anyway, I won't argue too much about it :-)2012-01-26

2 Answers 2

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Given any real number $a$, $|a|$ always exists and is non-negative.

So all you need is $\frac{2-x}{x+3}$ to be well defined. Which translates to $x \neq -3$.

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    Sure? I have some exercises on absolute value that take an entire page... Is unnecessary to study the absolute value?2012-01-26
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    @unNaturhal: I was talking about the extra constraints you need to add (and which is all you asked in the question, didn't you?). You still have to solve the whole thing...2012-01-26
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    Yes I know that is necessary to solve the whole thing, but the existence field of the fraction I know that is $x\neq3$, but isn't the same of the absolute value, right?2012-01-26
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    @unNaturhal: I don't understand what you are trying to ask. If $x \neq -3$, then $|\frac{2-x}{x+3}|$ is always well defined.2012-01-26
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    Damned absolute values... I really cannot understand :/2012-01-26
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We first do it in a slow and tedious way, and then a quick way. For the $\arccos$ to be defined, we need $\frac{|2-x|}{|3+x|} \le 1$ (it is naturally non-negative).

Thus we need the inequality $|2-x|\le |x+3|$. First suppose that $x \ge 2$. Then $|2-x|=x-2$, so we want $x-2 \le x+3$, which is true.

For $-3

At $x=-3$ things are clearly bad. But also if $x<-3$, then $|2-x|=2-x$ and $|x+3|=-(3+x)$. Thus our inequality becomes $2-x \le -(3+x)$, which is false.

To sum up, the $\arccos$ part is defined if $x\ge -1/2$.

Now we worry about the bottom. The function $x^2-4x+5$ is always positive, no trouble there. We want to make sure that $x^2-4x+5\ne 9$. We have equality at $-1$ and $5$, but $-1$ has already been ruled out.

Conclusion: Our function is defined for all $x\ge -1/2$ except $x=5$.

A quick way: The inequality $|2-x|\le |3+x|$ is equivalent to $(2-x)^2\le (3+x)^2$. Expand. The $x^2$'s cancel, and we get $x\ge -\frac{5}{10}$.

The tedious breaking up into cases of the first solution is unfortunately a useful tool in dealing with absolute value problems. The slick procedure of the "quick" solution is often much messier than doing things by cases.