Mathematics
Grade10
Easy

Question

For what value of x is the expression undefined?
fraction numerator 2 straight x squared space plus space 8 straight x over denominator left parenthesis straight x space plus space 4 right parenthesis space open parentheses straight x squared space minus space 9 close parentheses end fraction

  1. -8
  2. -3
  3. 0
  4. 4

hintHint:

A rational number is a sort of real number in mathematics, and it takes the form p/q, where q is not equal to zero. Here we have given the expression fraction numerator 2 straight x squared space plus space 8 straight x over denominator left parenthesis straight x space plus space 4 right parenthesis space open parentheses straight x squared space minus space 9 close parentheses end fraction, we have to find for what value of x is the expression undefined. We can use the concept of rational numbers to find the value of x. 

The correct answer is: -3


    In mathematics, any number that can be written as p/q where q 0 is considered a rational number. Additionally, every fraction that has an integer denominator and numerator and a denominator that is not zero falls into the category of rational numbers. The outcome of dividing a rational number, or fraction, will be a decimal number, either a terminating decimal or a repeating decimal.
    Now we have given the expression as:
    fraction numerator 2 straight x squared space plus space 8 straight x over denominator left parenthesis straight x space plus space 4 right parenthesis space open parentheses straight x squared space minus space 9 close parentheses end fraction
    The expression is undefined when denominator is zero, so:
    left parenthesis x space plus space 4 right parenthesis space left parenthesis x squared space minus space 9 right parenthesis space equals space 0 space
N o w space w e space c a n space s i m p l i f y space t h e space s e c o n d space b r a c k e t space b y space u sin g space t h e space f o r m u l a colon space
a squared minus b squared equals left parenthesis a plus b right parenthesis left parenthesis a minus b right parenthesis space
U sin g space t h i s comma space w e space g e t colon
left parenthesis x space plus space 4 right parenthesis space left parenthesis x space minus space 3 right parenthesis space left parenthesis x space plus space 3 right parenthesis space equals space 0 space space
x space equals space minus 4 space comma space 3 space comma space minus 3
    So at the values -4, -3 and 3, x is undefined.

    So here the concept of rational numbers is used. When the denominator is 0, a rational expression has no specified meaning. Set the denominator to 0 and solve for x to get the values of x that lead to a denominator of 0. So at the values -4, -3 and 3, x is undefined.

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