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Example Questions
Example Question #33 : Algebraic Fractions
x |
y |
If varies inversely with , what is the value of ?
An inverse variation is a function in the form: or , where is not equal to 0.
Substitute each in .
Therefore, the constant of variation, , must equal 24. If varies inversely as , must equal 24. Solve for .
Example Question #1 : How To Find Excluded Values
Which of the following are answers to the equation below?
I. -3
II. -2
III. 2
II only
II and III
III only
I, II, and III
I only
III only
Given a fractional algebraic equation with variables in the numerator and denominator of one side and the other side equal to zero, we rely on a simple concept. Zero divided by anything equals zero. That means we can focus in on what values make the numerator (the top part of the fraction) zero, or in other words,
The expression is a difference of squares that can be factored as
Solving this for gives either or . That means either of these values will make our numerator equal zero. We might be tempted to conclude that both are valid answers. However, our statement earlier that zero divided by anything is zero has one caveat. We can never divide by zero itself. That means that any values that make our denominator zero must be rejected. Therefore we must also look at the denominator.
The left side factors as follows
This means that if is or , we end up dividing by zero. That means that cannot be a valid solution, leaving as the only valid answer. Therefore only #3 is correct.
Example Question #51 : Algebraic Fractions
Which of the following provides the complete solution set for ?
No solutions
The absolute value will always be positive or 0, therefore all values of z will create a true statement as long as . Thus all values except for 2 will work.
Example Question #52 : Algebraic Fractions
If the average (arithmetic mean) of , , and is , what is the average of , , and ?
There is not enough information to determine the answer.
If we can find the sum of , , and 10, we can determine their average. There is not enough information to solve for or individually, but we can find their sum, .
Write out the average formula for the original three quantities. Remember, adding together and dividing by the number of quantities gives the average:
Isolate :
Write out the average formula for the new three quantities:
Combine the integers in the numerator:
Replace with 27:
Example Question #3 : How To Find Excluded Values
Find the excluded values of the following algebraic fraction
The numerator cancels all the binomials in the denomniator so ther are no excluded values.
To find the excluded values of a algebraic fraction you need to find when the denominator is zero. To find when the denominator is zero you need to factor it. This denominator factors into
so this is zero when x=4,7 so our answer is
Example Question #2 : How To Find Excluded Values
For what value(s) of x is the function undefined?
When the denominator of a function is equal to 0, the function is undefined at that point. We can set x2-25 equal to 0 in order to find out what values of x make that true.
We can factor to solve for x.
is an incorrect answer because for this value of x, the function equals zero, but it is not undefined.
Example Question #53 : Algebraic Fractions
Find the extraneous solution for
There are no extraneous solutions
Now lets plug these values into our original equation.
For
So this isn't an extraneous solution.
For
Since , is an extraneous solution.
Example Question #54 : Algebraic Fractions
If (t-5)/2t =13/19, what is the value of t?
(-65)/25
(-95)/7
95/7
80/19
(-95)/7
We start by cross multiplying to get the equation 26t=19t-95. We then subtract 19t from 26t giving us 7t= -95. We then divide by 7, giving us t= (-95)/7.
Example Question #55 : Algebraic Fractions
If x/3 = 50, then what is x/10 equal to?
150
1500
50
5
15
15
1. Solve for x in x/3 = 50
2. x = 150
3.Substitute 150 for x in x/10
4. x = 15
Example Question #56 : Algebraic Fractions
There are m number of people on a deserted island. They drink n liters of water a day. There are x number of 10 liter bottles on the island. On what day will they run out of water?
10mn/x
n/10xm
m/10xn
10/nxm
10x/mn
10x/mn
There are only x * 10 liters of water on the island. n * m equals how many liters are consumed per day. Divide x * 10 liters by n * m. Note the units (days) are correct in the answer.
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