For what values of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is the rational expression below undefined?

[tex]\[
\frac{x+8}{x^2-2x-24}
\][/tex]

Check all that apply:

A. -8
B. -4
C. 6
D. 4
E. -6
F. 8



Answer :

To determine for which values of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] the rational expression [tex]\(\frac{x+8}{x^2-2x-24}\)[/tex] is undefined, we need to identify the values of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] that make the denominator zero.

Let's start by examining the denominator:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 2x - 24 \][/tex]

To find the values of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] that make this expression equal to zero, we start by factoring it. We look for two numbers that multiply to [tex]\(-24\)[/tex] (the constant term) and add up to [tex]\(-2\)[/tex] (the coefficient of the [tex]\( x \)[/tex] term).

Those two numbers are [tex]\( 6 \)[/tex] and [tex]\(-4\)[/tex], because:
[tex]\[ 6 \cdot (-4) = -24 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 6 + (-4) = 2 \][/tex]

Thus, we can factor the quadratic expression as:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 2x - 24 = (x - 6)(x + 4) \][/tex]

Next, we find the values of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] that make each factor equal to zero:
1. [tex]\( x - 6 = 0 \)[/tex]
[tex]\[ x = 6 \][/tex]
2. [tex]\( x + 4 = 0 \)[/tex]
[tex]\[ x = -4 \][/tex]

Therefore, the rational expression [tex]\(\frac{x+8}{x^2-2x-24}\)[/tex] is undefined for [tex]\( x = 6 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( x = -4 \)[/tex].

So, the correct answers are:
B. -4
C. 6

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