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Question

Consider the following for the next two (02) items that follow :

Let f(x) = sin[π2]x + cos[-π2]x where [.] is a greatest ‘integer function

What is \(f\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\) equal to ?

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2023 GAT Previous Year Paper (16-Apr-2023)
The correct answer is \( \frac{1}{\sqrt 2}\)

Understanding the Function with Greatest Integer

The given function is defined as \(f(x) = \sin[\frac{\pi}{2}]x + \cos[-\frac{\pi}{2}]x\), where \([.]\) represents the greatest integer function. The greatest integer function of a real number \(y\), denoted by \([y]\), is the largest integer less than or equal to \(y\).

To evaluate \(f(x)\), we first need to determine the values of the greatest integer parts: \([\frac{\pi}{2}]\) and \([-\frac{\pi}{2}]\).

Evaluating the Greatest Integer Parts

We know that the value of \(\pi\) is approximately \(3.14159\).

Let's calculate \(\frac{\pi}{2}\):

\[ \frac{\pi}{2} \approx \frac{3.14159}{2} \approx 1.5708 \]

The greatest integer less than or equal to \(1.5708\) is \(1\). So,

\[ \left[\frac{\pi}{2}\right] = 1 \]

Now let's calculate \(-\frac{\pi}{2}\):

\[ -\frac{\pi}{2} \approx -1.5708 \]

The greatest integer less than or equal to \(-1.5708\) is \(-2\) (since \(-2 \le -1.5708\) and \(-1 > -1.5708\)). So,

\[ \left[-\frac{\pi}{2}\right] = -2 \]

Simplifying the Function Definition

Now substitute these integer values back into the function definition:

\[ f(x) = \sin(1 \cdot x) + \cos(-2 \cdot x) \]

This simplifies to:

\[ f(x) = \sin(x) + \cos(-2x) \]

Using the trigonometric identity \(\cos(-\theta) = \cos(\theta)\), we can simplify the term \(\cos(-2x)\):

\[ \cos(-2x) = \cos(2x) \]

So, the simplified function is:

\[ f(x) = \sin(x) + \cos(2x) \]

Calculating \(f\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\)

We need to find the value of the function \(f(x)\) when \(x = \frac{\pi}{4}\). Substitute \(x = \frac{\pi}{4}\) into the simplified function:

\[ f\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) + \cos\left(2 \cdot \frac{\pi}{4}\right) \]

Simplify the term inside the cosine function:

\[ 2 \cdot \frac{\pi}{4} = \frac{2\pi}{4} = \frac{\pi}{2} \]

So the expression becomes:

\[ f\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) + \cos\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) \]

Now, we use the known values of trigonometric functions at these standard angles:

\[ \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \]

\[ \cos\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = 0 \]

Substitute these values into the expression for \(f\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\):

\[ f\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} + 0 \]

\[ f\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \]

Thus, \(f\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\) is equal to \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\).

Expression Value Reason
\([\frac{\pi}{2}]\) 1 Greatest integer \(\le 1.5708\)
\([-\frac{\pi}{2}]\) -2 Greatest integer \(\le -1.5708\)
\(f(x)\) simplified \(\sin(x) + \cos(2x)\) Substitution and \(\cos(-\theta)=\cos(\theta)\)
\(\sin(\frac{\pi}{4})\) \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\) Standard trigonometric value
\(\cos(\frac{\pi}{2})\) 0 Standard trigonometric value
\(f(\frac{\pi}{4})\) \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\) Sum of \(\sin(\frac{\pi}{4})\) and \(\cos(\frac{\pi}{2})\)

Revision Table: Key Concepts for Evaluating f(pi/4)

Concept Description Application in Problem
Greatest Integer Function \([x]\) Largest integer less than or equal to \(x\). Used to simplify the coefficients of \(x\) in the \(\sin\) and \(\cos\) terms.
Approximation of \(\pi\) \(\pi \approx 3.14159\) Needed to estimate \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) and \(-\frac{\pi}{2}\) for the greatest integer calculation.
Trigonometric Identity \(\cos(-\theta) = \cos(\theta)\) Used to simplify the \(\cos[-2]x\) term.
Standard Angle Values \(\sin(\frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\), \(\cos(\frac{\pi}{2}) = 0\) Essential for evaluating the function at \(x = \frac{\pi}{4}\).

Additional Information: Properties of Greatest Integer Function and Trigonometry

The greatest integer function, also known as the floor function, has the property that \(x - 1 < [x] \le x\). It is a step function that is constant between consecutive integers and jumps at integer values.

Understanding trigonometric identities like \(\cos(-\theta) = \cos(\theta)\) and \(\sin(-\theta) = -\sin(\theta)\) is crucial for simplifying expressions. Also, knowing the values of trigonometric functions for common angles such as \(0, \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{\pi}{4}, \frac{\pi}{3}, \frac{\pi}{2}, \pi\) is fundamental for solving many problems involving trigonometric functions.

The problem combines concepts from both number theory (greatest integer function) and trigonometry, requiring careful evaluation of each part.

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