Question 419734
this looks like:

(p^3-8p)/(p^2-49)


it looks like this equation would be undefined when p = + or - 7


that would make the denominator equal to 0 which would make the whole expression undefined.


i think that's it.   


a graph of this equation can also help to show you where the undefined areas are.


It's not fool proof but it does help.


{{{graph(600,600,-40,40,-80,80,(x^3 - 8x) / (x^2 - 49))}}}


in the graph above, if you draw a vertical line at x = -7 and at x = 7, you will see that the value is undefined at those points.


that's because the denominator of the equation is equal to 0 at those values of x.


in order to graph your equation, i had to change the "p" to an "x".


it doesn't change the equation.


it only changes the variable used.


this allows it to be graphed.