College Algebra (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32178-228-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-32178-228-1

Chapter 3 - Polynomial and Rational Functions - Exercise Set 3.5 - Page 407: 33

Answer

Vertical asymptote: $x=3$ Hole at $x=-7$

Work Step by Step

Locating Vertical Asymptotes, (page 395) tells us that for $f(x)=\displaystyle \frac{p(x)}{q(x)}$, if p(x) and q(x) have NO common factors, and a is a zero of the denominator $q(x)$ , then the line $x=a$ is a vertical asymptote. BUT, if they DO have common factors, after REDUCING the form of the function's equation, the number a may not cause the denominator to be zero any more. in which case there will be a hole at x=a. The point is that both p(x) and q(x) have to be factored, and if we can, then we reduce the expression for f(x). ------------------ $h(x)=\displaystyle \frac{x+7}{x^{2}+4x-21}$ $p(x)=x+7\qquad $... fully factored $q(x)=x^{2}+4x-21$ (find two factors of $-21$ whose sum is +4 ... ...found $+7$ and $-3$ ) $q(x)=(x+7)(x-3)$ We can reduce the expression for $g(x):$ $h(x)=\displaystyle \frac{x+7}{x^{2}+4x-21}\\=\dfrac{(x+7)}{ (x+7)(x-3)}=\dfrac{1}{x-3},\quad x\neq-7$ Vertical asymptote: $x=3$ Hole at $x=-7$
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