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 jonas June 3rd, 2011 12:17 PM

Algebra question

Hi,

I need to know the value of the expression (3 - x)/(x + 3). I know that an expression such as (x - 3)/(3 - x) would equal -1, but I am not sure what the value of the prior expression would be. Thanks.

 islam June 3rd, 2011 01:10 PM

Re: Algebra question

Hello there,
this expression doesn't have a certain value.
I mean its value depends on the value of x.
For example:
for x=1 you have 1/2
for x=3 you have 0
for x=-2 you have 5
and so on ....
best regards.

 Annelies 123 June 3rd, 2011 01:14 PM

Re: Algebra question

This expression doesn't have a fixed value; it can change while x is changing. There is one value of x where your expression doesn't exist and that is when x=-3 then you would have to divide by zero and that isn't possible.
link: here you can see this function.

 Hoempa June 3rd, 2011 01:44 PM

Re: Algebra question

$\frac{x-3}{3-x}=-1 \cdot \frac{3-x}{3-x}=-1 \;\text{for}\; x \ne 3$

$\frac{3-x}{x+3}=\frac{6}{x+3}+\frac{-3-x}{x+3}=\frac{6}{x+3}-1$
is variable

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