Find Domain of PreCalculus Functions Algebraically

In summary, the domain of a function is the set of all possible input values for the function. It can be found algebraically by considering restrictions on input values such as square roots or division by zero. The domain can be infinite if there are no restrictions, but it can also change based on the function's restrictions. When dealing with absolute value functions, the domain must be considered for both positive and negative cases.
  • #1
disneychannel
52
0
How do you find the domain of functions algebraically?

ex (3x-1)/(x+3)(x-1)
 
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  • #2
The domain of values for which this function will have a solution is simply all values except the ones that cause division by zero. So for this example if x = -3 or x = 1 there would be division by zero.

So the domain is all real values except x = 1 or x = -3.

Thanks
Matt
 

1. What is the domain of a function?

The domain of a function is the set of all possible input values for the function. It is the set of values for which the function is defined.

2. How do you find the domain of a precalculus function algebraically?

To find the domain of a precalculus function algebraically, you need to consider any restrictions on the input values. These restrictions can include square roots, fractions, and logarithms. You must also consider any values that would result in division by zero or taking the square root of a negative number.

3. Can the domain of a function be infinite?

Yes, the domain of a function can be infinite if there are no restrictions on the input values. This is often the case with polynomial functions or exponential functions.

4. How do you handle absolute value functions when finding the domain?

When dealing with absolute value functions, you need to consider two cases: when the absolute value is positive and when it is negative. In the positive case, the domain will be all real numbers. In the negative case, the domain will be all real numbers except for the values that would result in taking the square root of a negative number.

5. Can the domain of a function change?

Yes, the domain of a function can change depending on the restrictions on the input values. For example, if a function has a fraction and the denominator cannot be zero, the domain will change to exclude the value that would result in division by zero.

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