Find the domain of the following rational function. x+3 h(x) = x -9 Select the correct choice below and, if necessary, fill in the answer box to complete your choice. O A. The domain of h(x) is {x|x# ). (Type an integer or a fraction. Use a comma to separate answers as needed.) O B. There are no restrictions on the domain of h(x).

Calculus: Early Transcendentals
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Chapter1: Functions And Models
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RCC: (a) What is a function? What are its domain and range? (b) What is the graph of a function? (c) How...
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**Rational Functions: Determining the Domain**

When analyzing rational functions, it is important to determine the domain, which includes all possible input values (x-values) for which the function is defined. For the function given, certain values of \(x\) may cause the function to become undefined.

Given Rational Function:
\[ h(x) = \frac{x + 3}{x^2 - 9} \]

**Steps to Determine the Domain:**

1. **Identify the Denominator:**
   The denominator of the function is \(x^2 - 9\).

2. **Set the Denominator to Zero:**
   To find the values to exclude from the domain, set the denominator equal to zero and solve for \(x\).
   \[
   x^2 - 9 = 0
   \]
   \[
   (x - 3)(x + 3) = 0
   \]
   \[
   x = 3, \, -3
   \]

3. **Exclude these Values from the Domain:**
   The function becomes undefined when \(x = 3\) or \(x = -3\), so these values must be excluded from the domain.

**Choices:**

- **A.** The domain of \(h(x)\) is \(\{x | x \neq 3, -3\}\). (Type an integer or a fraction. Use a comma to separate answers as needed.)
  
- **B.** There are no restrictions on the domain of \(h(x)\).

For this function, the correct choice is **A** because the values \(x = 3\) and \(x = -3\) make the denominator zero, causing the function to be undefined.

**Conclusion:**
When determining the domain of a rational function, always solve for the values that make the denominator zero and exclude them from the domain.
Transcribed Image Text:**Rational Functions: Determining the Domain** When analyzing rational functions, it is important to determine the domain, which includes all possible input values (x-values) for which the function is defined. For the function given, certain values of \(x\) may cause the function to become undefined. Given Rational Function: \[ h(x) = \frac{x + 3}{x^2 - 9} \] **Steps to Determine the Domain:** 1. **Identify the Denominator:** The denominator of the function is \(x^2 - 9\). 2. **Set the Denominator to Zero:** To find the values to exclude from the domain, set the denominator equal to zero and solve for \(x\). \[ x^2 - 9 = 0 \] \[ (x - 3)(x + 3) = 0 \] \[ x = 3, \, -3 \] 3. **Exclude these Values from the Domain:** The function becomes undefined when \(x = 3\) or \(x = -3\), so these values must be excluded from the domain. **Choices:** - **A.** The domain of \(h(x)\) is \(\{x | x \neq 3, -3\}\). (Type an integer or a fraction. Use a comma to separate answers as needed.) - **B.** There are no restrictions on the domain of \(h(x)\). For this function, the correct choice is **A** because the values \(x = 3\) and \(x = -3\) make the denominator zero, causing the function to be undefined. **Conclusion:** When determining the domain of a rational function, always solve for the values that make the denominator zero and exclude them from the domain.
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