# SAT Math : How to find excluded values

## Example Questions

### Example Question #231 : Algebra

Which of the following are answers to the equation below?

3 only

2 and 3

1 only

2 only

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 #31 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean

If the average (arithmetic mean) of , , and  is , what is the average of , , and ?

There is not enough information to determine the answer.

Explanation:

If we can find the sum of , , and 10, we can determine their average. There is not enough information to solve for  or  individually, but we can find their sum,

Write out the average formula for the original three quantities.  Remember, adding together and dividing by the number of quantities gives the average:

Isolate

Write out the average formula for the new three quantities:

Combine the integers in the numerator:

Replace  with 27:

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

Find the excluded values of the following algebraic fraction

The numerator cancels all the binomials in the denomniator so ther are no excluded values.

Explanation:

To find the excluded values of a algebraic fraction you need to find when the denominator is zero. To find when the denominator is zero you need to factor it. This denominator factors into

so this is zero when x=4,7 so our answer is

### Example Question #52 : Algebraic Fractions

For what value(s) of x is the function undefined?

Explanation:

When the denominator of a function is equal to 0, the function is undefined at that point. We can set x2-25 equal to 0 in order to find out what values of x make that true.

We can factor to solve for x.

is an incorrect answer because for this value of x, the function equals zero, but it is not undefined.

### Example Question #51 : Algebraic Fractions

Find the extraneous solution for

There are no extraneous solutions

Explanation:

Now lets plug these values into our original equation.

For

So this isn't an extraneous solution.

For

Since  is an extraneous solution.