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When we write an equation like ... |
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| people should know what we mean. | ||
| If they don't, we can draw then a picture ... | ||
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| You would think that would be enough ways to show this. | ||
| Well, think again. | ||
| It seems like math people are never satisfied with this stuff. | ||
| Here's another way to write it ... | ||
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[-2, 5) |
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| This is called interval notation. | ||
| What you do is list the numbers | ||
| at the ends of the area that is shaded in the picture. | ||
| If the endpoint is included, | ||
| you use a square bracket on that side. | ||
| If the endpoint is not included, | ||
| you use a curved bracket on that side. | ||
| If the shaded area goes to plus or minus infinity, | ||
| that side always gets a curved bracket. | ||
| So: | ||
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copyright 2005 Bruce Kirkpatrick |
