[Math] the domain of $1/\sqrt{x^2-4}$ using the set builder notation

algebra-precalculusfunctions

I'm confused when it comes to getting the domain of a function using set builder notation. Please explain also how to do the system of inequalities when getting the domain of the given function:
$$x \mapsto \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2-4}}$$

Best Answer

You want to find the domain of $\displaystyle \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2-4}}$.

We need two things: the denominator must be defined, and nonzero.

The denominator is equal to zero when $x = \pm 2$.

We also have $x^2-4<0$ if $-2<x<2$, so the denominator is not defined for $x \in (-2,2)$. *

Therefore, the function is NOT defined on $x \in [-2,2]$, and thus the function IS defined on $\boxed{\{x \in \mathbb{R}|x<-2~\text{or}~x>2\}}$

Or more simply, $\boxed{\{x \in \mathbb{R}\mid|x|>2\}}$

*Notice that $x^2-4<0 \implies x^2<4 \implies |x|<2$, since $\sqrt{x^2}=|x|$.

Then, since $|x|=2$ also makes $f(x)$ undefined, we have f(x) is defined for reals where $|x|>2$.