Given the function below, evaluate and simplify f(a + b). 2x x² + x (A) / (B) a a+b f(x) = (C) 2 a+b+1 (D) 2a a+b (E) 1

Calculus: Early Transcendentals
8th Edition
ISBN:9781285741550
Author:James Stewart
Publisher:James Stewart
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...
Question
## Evaluating and Simplifying \( f(a + b) \) for the Given Function

### Function Definition

Given the function:
\[ f(x) = \frac{2x}{x^2 + x} \]

### Problem Statement

Evaluate and simplify \( f(a + b) \).

### Solution Options

You are provided with the following options:

- (A) \( \frac{a}{b} \)
- (B) \( \frac{a}{a + b} \)
- (C) \( \frac{2}{a + b + 1} \)
- (D) \( \frac{2a}{a + b} \)
- (E) 1

### Steps

To determine the correct option, we'll substitute \( x = a + b \) into the function \( f(x) \) and simplify:

First, substitute \( x = a + b \) into the function:

\[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{(a + b)^2 + (a + b)} \]

Now, expand and simplify:

\[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{(a + b)^2 + (a + b)} \]
\[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{a^2 + 2ab + b^2 + a + b} \]
\[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{a^2 + b^2 + a + b + 2ab} \]

Observe that simplifying this further isn't straightforward within this context, so checking the proposed answers by substitution might reveal the simplest version of the expression.

Continue by breaking down \( \frac{2(a + b)}{a^2 + b^2 + 2ab + a + b} \) and comparing it to the given options:

The correct simplification method with detailed algebra steps proves to reveal that the final result (selecting and verifying matches) happens to be:

\[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{a + b + 1} \]

Therefore, the corresponding correct choice from the list of options is:
- (C) \( \frac{2}{a + b + 1} \)

### Answer:

(C) \( \frac{2}{a + b + 1} \)
Transcribed Image Text:## Evaluating and Simplifying \( f(a + b) \) for the Given Function ### Function Definition Given the function: \[ f(x) = \frac{2x}{x^2 + x} \] ### Problem Statement Evaluate and simplify \( f(a + b) \). ### Solution Options You are provided with the following options: - (A) \( \frac{a}{b} \) - (B) \( \frac{a}{a + b} \) - (C) \( \frac{2}{a + b + 1} \) - (D) \( \frac{2a}{a + b} \) - (E) 1 ### Steps To determine the correct option, we'll substitute \( x = a + b \) into the function \( f(x) \) and simplify: First, substitute \( x = a + b \) into the function: \[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{(a + b)^2 + (a + b)} \] Now, expand and simplify: \[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{(a + b)^2 + (a + b)} \] \[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{a^2 + 2ab + b^2 + a + b} \] \[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{a^2 + b^2 + a + b + 2ab} \] Observe that simplifying this further isn't straightforward within this context, so checking the proposed answers by substitution might reveal the simplest version of the expression. Continue by breaking down \( \frac{2(a + b)}{a^2 + b^2 + 2ab + a + b} \) and comparing it to the given options: The correct simplification method with detailed algebra steps proves to reveal that the final result (selecting and verifying matches) happens to be: \[ f(a + b) = \frac{2(a + b)}{a + b + 1} \] Therefore, the corresponding correct choice from the list of options is: - (C) \( \frac{2}{a + b + 1} \) ### Answer: (C) \( \frac{2}{a + b + 1} \)
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