SOLUTION: r(t)=t^2-5t+4 over t^2-9 r(1) r(2) r(3)

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Question 42671: r(t)=t^2-5t+4 over t^2-9

r(1) r(2) r(3)
Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
My first reaction was to simplify the fraction by factoring, but the fraction does not reduce. So, we are back to that Glade commercial, "Plug it in, Plug it in!!"

r%28t%29+=+%28t%5E2-5t%2B4%29%2F%28t%5E2-9%29
r(1) means to let t=1, and plug it in: %281-5%2B4%29%2F%281-9%29+=0
r(2) means to let t=2, and plug it in: %284-10%2B4%29%2F%284-9%29+=-2%2F-5+=+2%2F5
r(3) means to let t=3, and plug it in. OOPS!!! This makes the denominator zero, so it is UNDEFINED!!!

R^2 at SCC