# Math Help - pre-calc problem involving trig

1. ## pre-calc problem involving trig

I need to determine the domain of each function.

If you answer can you tell me how you did it?

$h(x) = \frac{1}{1-sin(x)}$

Thanks.

2. $\sin{x} \neq 1$ ... why?

so... $x \neq \, ?$

3. Originally Posted by skeeter
$\sin{x} \neq 1$ ... why?

so... $x \neq \, ?$
I'm sorry but I don't see how you got $\sin{x} \neq 1$

Not saying it's wrong, but can someone tell me how he got that?

4. look at the denominator ...

are you familiar with the rule that says division by 0 is undefined?

if $sin{x} = 1$, what would be the value of the denominator?

so ... what does that tell you $\sin{x}$ cannot be equal to ?

domain is the set of all x-values that can be input into a function without breaking certain rules ... division by 0 is one of those rules that cannot be broken.

5. Originally Posted by skeeter
look at the denominator ...

are you familiar with the rule that says division by 0 is undefined?

if $sin{x} = 1$, what would be the value of the denominator?

so ... what does that tell you $\sin{x}$ cannot be equal to ?

domain is the set of all x-values that can be input into a function without breaking certain rules ... division by 0 is one of those rules that cannot be broken.
Yes I am familiar with that rule. I can see the answer being $x \neq 1$ in an equation that looks like this:

$h(x) = \frac{1}{1-x}$

but if I plug 1 in for x on my problem below, the denominator looks like this:

$h(x) = \frac{1}{1-sin(1)}$ = $\frac{1}{1-0.84147...}$

because sin(1) = 0.84147...

Am I missing something?

6. Originally Posted by DHS1
Am I missing something?
Look again. There's a big difference between the statement $x \neq 1$ and $\sin x \neq 1$

7. Originally Posted by Professor Fate
Look again. There's a big difference between the statement $x \neq 1$ and $\sin x \neq 1$
Wow I can't believe I missed that... haha!

You, sir, have been thanked. (you too skeeter! especially you!)