Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Rational Expressions
A rational expression is a fraction where both the numerator and the denominator are polynomials. Understanding rational expressions is crucial because their domain is determined by the values of the variable that do not make the denominator equal to zero. In this case, the expression is defined for all real numbers except those that cause the denominator to be zero.
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Rationalizing Denominators
Finding the Domain
The domain of a rational expression consists of all the possible values of the variable that do not lead to division by zero. To find the domain, one must identify the values that make the denominator zero and exclude them from the set of real numbers. This process often involves factoring the denominator and solving for the variable.
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Finding the Domain of an Equation
Factoring Polynomials
Factoring polynomials is the process of breaking down a polynomial into simpler components, or factors, that can be multiplied together to obtain the original polynomial. In the context of finding the domain of a rational expression, factoring the denominator helps identify the roots, which are the values that make the denominator zero and thus need to be excluded from the domain.
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