is it possible to have a negative fraction as a restriction?  Topic is solved

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is it possible to have a negative fraction as a restriction?

Postby noobzilla on Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:44 pm

When simplyfing rational expressions, after factoring:

Say I have (3x - 8)

can I state that x cannot be -8/3?
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Postby stapel_eliz on Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:20 pm

That would depend upon where the factor is. If it's in the numerator, then it creates no restriction on the domain.

In general, however, the domain can be restricted pretty much any way you want. For instance:

. . . . .

...has the domain . :wink:
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Re: is it possible to have a negative fraction as a restriction?  Topic is solved

Postby noobzilla on Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:09 pm

Thanks

I was actually referring to a case in where we need to set restrictions on the denominator, but I've never seen a negative fraction as a restriction so that's why I'm asking.
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Postby stapel_eliz on Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:29 pm

Negative numbers are numbers, just like positive numbers.

Fractions are numbers, just like whole numbers, integers, and irrationals.

Any of these can cause division by zero.
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