Math Problem Statement

Find the domain of the following functions: (a) f(x) = (2x + 1) / (x^2 + x - 2) (b) g(x) = sqrt(x) / (x + 1) (c) h(x) = sqrt(x - 1) + sqrt(x - 1)

Solution

The question asks to find the domain of the following functions:

(a) f(x)=2x+1x2+x2f(x) = \frac{2x + 1}{x^2 + x - 2}

We need to find the values of xx for which the denominator is not zero. The domain will be all real values except those that make the denominator zero.

The denominator is: x2+x2=0x^2 + x - 2 = 0 Factoring: (x1)(x+2)=0(x - 1)(x + 2) = 0 So, x=1x = 1 and x=2x = -2 are the values where the denominator is zero. Thus, the domain of f(x)f(x) is: (,2)(2,1)(1,)\boxed{(-\infty, -2) \cup (-2, 1) \cup (1, \infty)}

(b) g(x)=xx+1g(x) = \frac{\sqrt{x}}{x + 1}

For the square root function x\sqrt{x} to be defined, xx must be non-negative, meaning x0x \geq 0. Also, the denominator cannot be zero, so x+10x + 1 \neq 0, which gives x1x \neq -1.

Thus, the domain of g(x)g(x) is: [0,){1}\boxed{[0, \infty) \setminus \{-1\}} This means all non-negative real numbers excluding 1-1.

(c) h(x)=x1+x1h(x) = \sqrt{x - 1} + \sqrt{x - 1}

This function contains square roots, so the expressions inside the square roots must be non-negative. Both square root terms involve x1x - 1, so we must have: x10x1x - 1 \geq 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x \geq 1 Thus, the domain of h(x)h(x) is: [1,)\boxed{[1, \infty)}


Would you like any further details or clarification on these calculations?

Here are 5 related questions to consider:

  1. How do you determine the domain of a rational function in general?
  2. What happens when there are square roots in the denominator?
  3. What is the domain of f(x)=1x2+4f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2 + 4}?
  4. How do restrictions in square roots affect the domain?
  5. How would the domain change if the function were f(x)=1xf(x) = \sqrt{1 - x}?

Tip: Always check for restrictions such as division by zero or square roots of negative numbers when determining a function's domain.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Functions
Rational Expressions
Square Roots
Domain of Functions

Formulas

Quadratic equation formula ax^2 + bx + c = 0
Square root constraints: expression inside the square root must be ≥ 0

Theorems

Factoring quadratics
Square root function domain restrictions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12