Fractions

Algebra: Adding and subtracting fractions

Fractions

Fractions with variables

Variables can occur in both the #\orange{\text{numerator}}# as well as the #\blue{\text{denominator }}# of fraction. Just like a fraction with numbers, the #\blue{\text{denominator }}# cannot be equal to #0#. Therefore, we cannot enter numbers for which the denominator is equal to #0#. Most of the time, we will not mention this explicitly, but will assume this value is not entered.

Examples

\[\frac{\orange{x+3}}{\blue{x-5}} \]

\[\frac{\orange{x}}{\blue{x^2-1}} \]

Denominator not equal to 0

Since the #\blue{\text{denominator }}# can not be equal to #0#, the following assumptions hold for the variables.

\[\begin{array}{rcl}
\dfrac{\orange{x+3}}{\blue{x-5}}&&x \ne 5 \\ \\
\dfrac{\orange{x}}{\blue{x^2-1}} && x \ne 1 \text{ and } x \ne -1\end{array}\]

Calculate the following fraction for #x=3#:

#{{x}\over{-x^2-x+3}}#
Simplify the answer to a simplified fraction or integer.

#-{{1}\over{3}}#

This result can be found by replacing #x# with #3# everywhere:
\[\displaystyle {{3}\over{-3^2-3+3}}= -{{1}\over{3}}\tiny.\]

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