Why can’t x = -4?
If x = -4 or x = -3 then the given condition will not hold true as LHS will be undefined.
LHS means left hand side right? -4 + 3= -1. Can you not have a negative in the denominator? Sorry I’m not understanding.
x \neq 4, x could be negative 4
It does not matter, since we do not need the denominator. We only need to find rhe numerator, since rhs = 0, so lhs also must be zero. Substitute the value of x in lhs, we do not get zero in LHS.
For the given equation to be true, x cannot be anything other than 0 or 2, because if we substitute any other value, left and right won’t be equal.
For lhs to be zero, numerator has to be zero. Denominator can be anything, but we only need to find numerator.
X cannot be negative 4, because if we substitute negative 4 in the equation, we do not get 0. For the equation to hold true, LHS must be equal to RHS
X can only be 0 or 2.
I understand, your second reply is absolutely correct, but stating x can be negative 4 in the above equation is incorrect.
Now I get it!! Thank you both!
2 Likes