Question

Simplify the expressin and state any restrictions on a.

4a+3/a+3 * 3a+9/2a-6

Answer 1

I know what it is simplified but I am having trouble finding the restrictions

Answer 2

ok... so the restiction occur in the denominator of each fraction.

you can't have a zero denominator

so you need to look at the values that a cannot take.


this is done by looking at

a + 3 = 0

and

2a - 6 = 0

solving for a will give the values that a cannot take.

hope this helps...

Answer 3

@campbell_st so I will find the restrictions from the denominator of the two rational expressions above or from my simplified expression ?

Answer 4

you would look at the original expression and find any restrictions on that (NOT the simplified expression)

Answer 5

so looking at the original problem the the restrictions are

a = -3 and a = 3

does that make sense...?

Answer 6

simple example

2x/x = 2

2x/x simplifies to 2 but they are not the same for all values of x unless you explicitly state that x can't be zero

Answer 7

@campbell_st Yes that does make sense

Answer 8

@jim_thompson5910 Yeah, I understand what you are saying, thanks for the example

Answer 9

yw

Answer 10

because (a + 3) is a common factor still requires it to be included as a restriction.

you may learn about the types of restrictions...if you have to graph a similar function

a = 3 would be an asymptote and a = -3 would be called a point of discontinuity

Answer 11

glad to help

Answer 12

Okay so would i say that \[a \neq -3,3\] ?

Answer 13

thats correct...

Answer 14

Okay thank you!