What are the extraneous solutions for $f(x)=(x^2-16)/(x^3+2x^2+x$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2015-02-15T21:29:59

Extraneous solutions are non-permitted solutions.

In your example, the numerator of the equation may not be zero.

We can write $x^3+2x^2+x$ as $x(x^2+2x+1)$
And then factor into $x(x+1)^2$

Now the values of $x=0$ or $x=-1$ would make the numerator of this equation $=0$ and that is not allowed.

Answer:
$x=0 and x=-1$

What are the extraneous solutions for f(x)=(x^2-16)/(x^3+2x^2+xf(x)=(x^2-16)/(x^3+2x^2+x?