Question

After solving a rational equation, why is it important to check your answer? How is this done? What happens if you are checking a solution for the rational expression and find that it makes one of the denominators in the expression equal to zero?

Answer 1

i need 150 to 200 words :D

Answer 2

because very often you "square both sides" and can introduce an extraneous root. this might not be clear, so here is an example.

no one thinks -4 = 4
but if i square both sides i get 16 = 16, which is true. by squaring i have made two quantities that were not previously equal, -4 and 4, and made them equal, 16 and 16. so if you square at any step, you have to go back and check

Answer 3

as for the second part, if the denominator is equal to zero, it is not a solution to anything because you cannot divide by 0

Answer 4

thank u so very much! :)

Answer 5

you might explode.

Answer 6

yw

Answer 7

can introduce an extraneous root............ wat does that mean?

Answer 8

a root that is not correct - satellite explained it above

Answer 9

thank u..