TITLE: Solving sin z = -z in reals
QUESTION [11 upvotes]: How do we prove that z=0 is the only real solution? I tried examining cases and quarters, but not sure how it is rigorously proven.

REPLY [25 votes]: For $|z|>1$, you cannot have an equality since $|\sin z|\leq 1$. Inside the circle of radius 1, you notice that when $-z<0$, $\sin z$ is positive, and viceversa when $-z$ is positive $\sin z<0$. Then there is no chance then that the two values coincide.

REPLY [14 votes]: Since $—1 \le \sin(z) \le 1$, we only need to look at $z \in [-1, 1]$. 
If $z \ne 0$, the sign of $\sin(z)$ is the same as the sign of $z$.

REPLY [7 votes]: Hint: suppose a second solution $z_1$. Apply Rolle's theorem (where?).

REPLY [7 votes]: Notice $\sin z+z$ has derivative $1+\cos z$ which is nonnegative for all $z\in\Bbb R$ and which has isolated zeroes. So our function is increasing, and as $1+\cos 0>0$ the derivative is positive in a neighborhood of $0$ and so the function has a unique zero.