# ACT Math : How to find excluded values

## Example Questions

### Example Question #1 : How To Find Excluded Values

Which of the following are answers to the equation below?

2 only

3 only

1 only

2 and 3

1, 2, and 3

3 only

Explanation:

Given a fractional algebraic equation with variables in the numerator and denominator of one side and the other side equal to zero, we rely on a simple concept.  Zero divided by anything equals zero. That means we can focus in on what values make the numerator (the top part of the fraction) zero, or in other words,

The expression  is a difference of squares that can be factored as

Solving this for  gives either  or .  That means either of these values will make our numerator equal zero.  We might be tempted to conclude that both are valid answers.  However, our statement earlier that zero divided by anything is zero has one caveat. We can never divide by zero itself.  That means that any values that make our denominator zero must be rejected.  Therefore we must also look at the denominator.

The left side factors as follows

This means that if  is  or , we end up dividing by zero.  That means that  cannot be a valid solution, leaving  as the only valid answer.  Therefore only #3 is correct.

### Example Question #1 : How To Find Excluded Values

Solve

No solutions

Explanation:

The absolute value will always be positive or 0, therefore all values of z will create a true statement as long as . Thus all values except for 2 will work.

### Example Question #1 : How To Find Excluded Values

Find the excluded values in the following algebraic fraction.

Explanation:

In order to find excluded values, find the values that make the denominator equal zero.

To do this, you must factor the denominator:

Now, set each part equal to zero and solve for .

### Example Question #2 : How To Find Excluded Values

Find the excluded values for  for the following algebraic fraction.

Explanation:

In order to find the excluded values for x, find the values that make the denominator zero.

In order to find the zeroes, factor the denominator:

Now, set each part equal to zero.

### Example Question #1 : How To Find Excluded Values

Find the excluded values for  for the following algebraic fraction.

Explanation:

To find the excluded values, find the values that make the denominator zero.

### Example Question #4 : How To Find Excluded Values

Find the excluded values for  for the following algebraic fraction.

Explanation:

To find the excluded values, find the values that make the denominator equal zero.

To do that, set the denominator equal to zero and solve for

Begin by taking each multiple in the denominator and setting it equal to zero.

### Example Question #5 : How To Find Excluded Values

Find the excluded values for  in the following algebraic fraction.

Explanation:

To find the excluded values, find the values that make the denominator equal zero.

To do that, begin by factoring the denominator.

Now, set each part equal to zero.

Now, solve for .

### Example Question #1061 : Algebra

Find the excluded values for  in the following algebraic fraction.

Explanation:

To find the excluded values, find the -values that make the denominator equal zero.

To do this, set the denominator equal to zero:

Next, solve for x.

### Example Question #1062 : Algebra

Find the excluded values for  in the following algebraic fraction.

Explanation:

To find the excluded values, find the -values that make the denominator equal zero.

1) set the denominator equal to zero.

2) solve for .

### Example Question #1 : How To Find Excluded Values

Find the excluded values of the following algebraic fraction