Accelerated Precalculus Problem Set 1.

12

Development
1. To get a feel for these definitions, sketch any three even functions and any three odd
functions.

2. ~ Prove that the sum (or di↵erence) of two even functions is even and that the sum
(or di↵erence) of two odd functions is also odd.

3. (Brown 137.35 ) If f and g are both odd functions and h(x) = f (x) · g(x), prove that
h is even.

4. Suppose a function f is both even and odd. What else can you say about f ?

5. ~ (Potomac Original ) Let f be a non-zero, real-valued function whose domain is

symmetric about the origin (in other words, if f (x) exists, then f ( x) exists). Our
goal here is show that there’s a unique way to decompose any function into an “even
part” and an “odd part.”
f (x) + f ( x) f (x) f ( x)
Let a(x) = and b(x) = .
2 2
(a) Show that a is even and b is odd.
(b) Simplify the expression a(x) + b(x).
(c) Suppose f (x) = a1 (x) + b1 (x) = a2 (x) + b2 (x), where a1 and a2 are even and b1
and b2 are odd. Make observations about the left-hand and right-hand sides of
the equation
a2 (x) a1 (x) = b2 (x) b1 (x)
(Hint: Use the result from 1.12.2.)
(d) Prove that a1 (x) = a2 (x) and b1 (x) = b2 (x).
(Hint: Use the result from 1.12.4.)
(e) Let’s put this result to use! If g(x) = 3x5 2x4 4x3 + x2 10x 4, find an even
function and odd function whose sum is g.

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Accelerated Precalculus Problem Set 1.12

6. ~ (PEA 3.65.2 ) When the note middle C is struck on a piano, it makes a string vibrate
at 262 cycles per second. When the corresponding note one octave higher (denoted
C0 ) is struck, it makes a string vibrate at 524 cycles per second (twice as fast as the
first string). These two numbers form part of a geometric sequence of frequencies
. . . , C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C0 , . . .
known as equal-tempered tuning. Given C = 262 and C0 = 524, find the frequency of
G, and the frequency of the note that is n steps above middle C. (For example, F is 5
steps above C. By the way, a musician would say “half-step” instead of “step.”)

7. ~ (PEA 3.65.3 ) Without calculating any of the indicated frequencies, explain why
the ratio G:C is the same as the ratio A:D, which is the same as the ratio B:E. Now
calculate the ratio G:C and show that it is approximately equal to 3:2, the musical
interval known as a perfect fifth. The disagreement between the two ratios is why some
violinists do not like to make music with pianists.

8. ~ (PEA 3.65.6 ) The point (3, 8) is on the graph f (x) = 2x . What is the corresponding
point on the graph of the inverse function? Find four more pairs of points like these.

✓ ◆
1
9. (PEA 3.80.9 ) Asked to simplify the expression logc k + logc , Kirby wrote the
k
following:
✓ ◆
1 log k log c
logc k + logc = + = (log k log c) + (log c log k) = 0
k log c log k

What do you think of Kirby’s analysis?

cx
10. (Rusczyk 1.35 ) The function f defined by f (x) = satisfies f (f (x)) = x for all
2x + 3
real numbers x except 3/2. Find c.

Potomac School 2015–16

Accelerated Precalculus Problem Set 1.12

Optional Enrichment
11. (Rusczyk 1.41 ) Let f (x2 + 1) = x4 + 5x2 + 3. What is f (x2 1)?
2
(Hint: Let t = x 1, then find an expression for f (t).)

12. (Rusczyk 1.42 ) Suppose that a function f (x) is defined for all real x. How can we
obtain the graph of f (|x|) from the graph of f (x)?
(Hint: Try some specific examples, such as f (x) = x3 or f (x) = x + 3.)

13. (Crawford & Rusczyk 2.22 ) Suppose functions f and g both have an inverse. Show
that if h = f g, then the inverse of h is g 1 f 1 .

ax + a x
14. (Crawford & Rusczyk 13.69 ) Find x in terms of a and y given that y = .
2
x
(Hint: Make the substitution b = a . Solve the equation for b in terms of y.)

p p
15. (Crawford & Rusczyk 14.34 ) Solve the equation ( 2 + 1)x + ( 2 1)x = 6.
p p
(Hint: Let a = ( 2 + 1)x and b = ( 2 1)x . Find two equations in terms of a and b.)

16. (Crawford & Rusczyk 19.1 ) Let f (x) be a function such that f (x + y) = x + f (y) for
any two real numbers x and y, and f (0) = 2. What is the value of f (2015)?

Potomac School 2015–16

Accelerated Precalculus Problem Set 1.12

Optional Extra Practice

17. (PEA 3.94.4 ) Explain how 51/256 can be calculated using only the square-root key on
your calculator.

18. ~ (PEA 3.71.1 ) Earthquakes can be classified by the amount of energy they release.
Because of the large numbers involved, this is usually done logarithmically. The Richter
scale is defined by the equation R = 0.67 log(E) 1.17 where R is the rating and E is
the energy carried by the seismic wave, measured in kilowatt-hours. (A kilowatt-hour
is the energy consumed by ten 100-watt light bulbs in an hour).

(a) The 1989 earthquake in San Francisco was rated at 7.1. What amount of energy
did this earthquake release? It could have sustained how many 100-watt light
bulbs for a year?
(b) An earthquake rated at 8.1 releases more energy than an earthquake rated at 7.1.
How many times more?
(c) Rewrite the defining equation so that E is expressed as a function of R.
(d) Adding 1 to any rating corresponds to multiplying the energy by what constant?
(e) Is it possible for a seismic wave to have a negative rating? What would that
signify?

19. The following two pages contain practice on recognizing even and odd functions.

Potomac School 2015–16