vertical asymptotes

[roger22797]

I use apex, but when i gave me this problem: 2/ 3x(x-1)(x+5). The 2 is over the whole equation. Apex just has you use the opposites of the numbers in the parenthesis, and x equals 0, but it doesn't say what to do the 3...... Help!?

 

[DrPhil]

I use apex, but when i gave me this problem: 2/ 3x(x-1)(x+5). The 2 is over the whole equation. Apex just has you use the opposites of the numbers in the parenthesis, and x equals 0, but it doesn't say what to do the 3...... Help!?

The factor of 3 does not affect the roots, because 3×0 is also 0. (And 3 itself is never 0.)

 

[lookagain]

I use apex, but when i gave me this problem: 2/ 3x(x-1)(x+5). Note that you have no "f(x) =" or "y =" in front of it.


The 2 is over the > > whole equation < < . Regardless, you must use grouping symbols. f(x) = 2/(3x(x - 1)(x + 5)) or f(x) = 2/[3x(x - 1)(x + 5)], for instance.


Apex just has you use the opposites of the numbers in the parenthesis, and x equals 0, but it doesn't say what to do the 3...... Help!?

What you typed is an expression, not an equation.

 

[HallsofIvy]

"Vertical asymptotes" occure when the denominator (but not the numerator) is 0. Here the denominator is 3x(x- 1)(x- 5). That product will be 0 if and only if one of the factors is 0 (basic rule ab= 0 if and only if one or both of a and b is 0). As Dr Phil said, 3 is never 0 so you wind up looking at x= 0, x- 1= 0, x- 5= 0.