Let
under the function
Determine the image of the set under .
Solution
Let stand for a value of the function . Clearly, iff the cubic has three real roots. Normalise this to the form ()
If are the roots of this, then they are real iff
Consequently, the roots are real iff or . Now means that satisfy the cubic equation , and so .
Unless this occurs, then . If there is equality here, then two of are equal, i.e., two of are equal. Hence, , say. Thus
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