Which statement describes the domain of the function [tex]f(x) = \frac{3x}{4x^2 - 4}[/tex]?

A. all real numbers
B. all nonzero real numbers
C. all real numbers except [tex]x = \frac{3}{4}[/tex]
D. all real numbers except [tex]x = -1[/tex] and [tex]x = 1[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the domain of the function [tex]\( f(x) = \frac{3x}{4x^2 - 4} \)[/tex], we need to identify the values of [tex]\(x\)[/tex] that make the denominator zero.

The function is undefined if the denominator is zero, so we need to solve for [tex]\(x\)[/tex] in the equation [tex]\( 4x^2 - 4 = 0 \)[/tex].

Let's go through this step by step:

1. Set the denominator equal to zero:
[tex]\[ 4x^2 - 4 = 0 \][/tex]

2. Factor the equation:
[tex]\[ 4(x^2 - 1) = 0 \][/tex]

3. Simplify the equation inside the parenthesis:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 1 = 0 \][/tex]

4. Factor the quadratic expression:
[tex]\[ (x - 1)(x + 1) = 0 \][/tex]

5. Solve for [tex]\(x\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x - 1 = 0 \quad \text{or} \quad x + 1 = 0 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x = 1 \quad \text{or} \quad x = -1 \][/tex]

Thus, the function [tex]\( f(x) = \frac{3x}{4x^2 - 4} \)[/tex] has vertical asymptotes (undefined points) at [tex]\( x = 1 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( x = -1 \)[/tex].

Therefore, the domain of the function is all real numbers except [tex]\( x = 1 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( x = -1 \)[/tex].

Among the given choices, the correct statement describing the domain of the function is:

All real numbers except [tex]\( x = -1 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( x = 1 \)[/tex].