Question

Help? ill give out medal and fan.

Answer 1

Kelly tells you that when variables are in the denominator, the equation becomes unsolvable. "There is a value for x that makes the denominator zero, and you can't divide by zero," Kelly explains. Using complete sentences, demonstrate to Kelly how the equation is still solvable. Im dont get it

Answer 2

Suppose we want to solve the equation:
1/x + 1/(x)² = 2

Kelly says that it is impossible because there are the variable x and x² in the denominators. K is correct in that there is a value of x that makes the denominator zero. In this case, x = 0 makes the denominator of 1/x zero and also makes the denominator of 1/x² = 0.

But, we are looking for values of x that make the entire equation true, not values of x that make the denominators zero.
1/x + 1/(x)² = 2

(x +1)/(x)² = 2

Multiply through by x² with the proviso that x is not 0.

Then,

(x + 1) = 2x²
At this point, we are finding solutions to (x + 1) = 2x² which is related to but not identical to the original equation. So, we will have to check any answers we get to
(x + 1) = 2x² against the original problem: 1/x + 1/(x)² = 2

x = 1, x = -1/2

Answer 3

Ok yeah i saw that answer but can someone help me rephrase it? i dont really get it tbh

Answer 4

what grade?

Answer 5

It basically says that if you have the equation
1/x + 1/x^2 = 2
and you put x = 0, you would get an answer which is insolvable. But the point is that it can still be solved. If we simplify the expression 1/x + 1/x^2
it becomes (x+1)/x^2. (Try doing it on your own to understand better.
Now you have (x+1)/x^2 = 2 and if you now solve it, you will have
x+1 = 2*(x^2) right?
Then when you plug in 0, it will not be indefinite and you can solve the equation nevertheless by
2x^2 - x - 1 = 0
Hope you get it.

Answer 6

This makes x = -0.5 and x = 1. (solving quadratic equation.)
Also, try doing the whole question yourself exactly how cutepocchaco did it you'll understand very very easily.

Answer 7

@omgkelley are you still there?

Answer 8

Umm okay, thank you so much. :)

Answer 9

do you understand?

Answer 10

erm a bit lol c:

Answer 11

Ok, try this: It is a fact in arithmetic that division by 0 is undefined, right?

Answer 12

This is because 0 times any number is 0, remember that? @omgkelley

Answer 13

yes. c:

Answer 14

Ok, so now when you have variables what do they stand for?

Answer 15

Oh wait hold on i get it, i was re reading over what the other person said and it makes a lot more sense now

Answer 16

variable: A symbol used to represent one or more numbers.

Answer 17

$$\Huge a*\frac{1}{a}=1; a\neq0$$

Answer 18

a is a variable that can be any number you want except 0, right?

Answer 19

remember how I said in arithmetic 0 times any number is 0, well if you let a = 0 you will not get 0 times any number is 0, will you?

Answer 20

$$\Huge 0*\frac{1}{0}=1$$

Answer 21

Therefore 1/0 is not a number.

Answer 22

because 0*(any number) = 0
not 1

Answer 23

Therefore division by 0 has no meaning in the set of real numbers.

Answer 24

@omgkelley did that make sense?

Answer 25

no it did not, you don't cancel the zeros like this -:(

Answer 26

but 0/1 is truly NOT a number