how do you make the denominator equal to 0

Question

how do you get the values of x?

Answer 1

Hi, Joanne.

From your question, it sounds like you already know that rational expressions are undefined when the denominator is equal to zero.

To find out which values of x make the denominator zero, treat the denominator as an equation, set it equal to zero, and solve for x.

You may have to factor the equation first, or it may already be in factored form. When you have a product of factors, you find the value of x that makes each factor = 0. There may be more than one number that would make the denominator = 0, and therefore multiple numbers that cannot be x.

Hope this helps.