SOLUTION: I'm so lost The function h is is defined below h(x)=(x+6)/(x^2+9x+8) Find all values of x that are NOT in the domain of h. If there is more than one value, separate th

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: I'm so lost The function h is is defined below h(x)=(x+6)/(x^2+9x+8) Find all values of x that are NOT in the domain of h. If there is more than one value, separate th      Log On


   

Question 451377: I'm so lost
The function h is is defined below
h(x)=(x+6)/(x^2+9x+8)
Find all values of x that are NOT in the domain of h.
If there is more than one value, separate them with commas.
Answer by kingme18(98) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The domain of a function is everything that x can't ever equal. In some cases, there are numerous places (for example, for the square root function x can't be negative). For a function like yours, the only problems will be when the denominator equals zero. This is because you're not allowed to divide by 0.
So, let's look at the denominator. Any x value that would make it equal zero is illegal, so it's NOT in the domain. +x%5E2%2B9x%2B8=0+ Let's factor! +%28x%2B8%29%28x%2B1%29=0+ Since two things multiply to 0, one of them must actually be equal to 0. So +x%2B8=0+ or +x%2B1=0+. When you solve those, you get that x=-8 and x=-1. Those are the two values that x CANNOT equal; therefore, they aren't in the domain.