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No Dividing by Zero

Part of the Functions & Transformations section of Coddy's Algebra 2 journey. Lesson 9 of 55.

A rule with a fraction loses every input that makes its denominator zero. To find them, set the denominator equal to zero and solve. For f(x)=5x−3f\left(x\right) = \frac{5}{x-3}, the equation x−3=0x-3 = 0 gives 3, so 3 is the one input f refuses.

The numerator does not matter here. Zero on top is fine: 04\frac{0}{4} is just 0. Only zero underneath breaks the rule.

For g(x)=13x−6g\left(x\right) = \frac{1}{3x-6}, solve 3x−6=03x-6 = 0: 3x is 6, so x is 2. The domain of g is every real number except 2.

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Challenge

The function f(x)=72x+8f\left(x\right) = \frac{7}{2x+8} refuses one input. The board shows its denominator set to zero: solve it to find that input.

Try it yourself

2x+8=02x+8 = 0

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