One Of These Expressions Reduces To 1 And The Other Reduces To -1. Do You Know Which One Is Which? How Do You Know?1. $\frac{x+3}{3+x}$2. $\frac{3-x}{x-3}$Determine:- $\frac{x+3}{3+x} = \square$- The Numerator Of The
**One of these expressions reduces to 1 and the other reduces to -1. Do you know which one is which? How do you know?**
Understanding the Problem
When dealing with mathematical expressions, it's essential to understand the properties and behaviors of different operations. In this case, we're given two expressions:
Our goal is to determine which expression reduces to 1 and which one reduces to -1.
Breaking Down the Expressions
To tackle this problem, let's start by analyzing each expression separately.
Expression 1:
This expression can be simplified by recognizing that the numerator and denominator are in the form of a difference of squares. However, we can also approach this by using the concept of conjugate pairs.
A conjugate pair is a pair of expressions that have the same terms but with opposite signs. In this case, the conjugate pair of is . By multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the conjugate pair, we can eliminate the complex fraction.
\frac{x+3}{3+x} \cdot \frac{3-x}{3-x} = \frac{(x+3)(3-x)}{(3+x)(3-x)}
Simplifying the numerator and denominator, we get:
\frac{(x+3)(3-x)}{(3+x)(3-x)} = \frac{3x - x^2 - 9 + 3x}{9 - x^2}
Further simplifying, we get:
\frac{3x - x^2 - 9 + 3x}{9 - x^2} = \frac{6x - x^2 - 9}{9 - x^2}
Now, let's focus on the numerator. We can factor out a from the first two terms:
\frac{6x - x^2 - 9}{9 - x^2} = \frac{-(x^2 - 6x + 9)}{9 - x^2}
Recognizing that is a perfect square trinomial, we can rewrite it as:
\frac{-(x^2 - 6x + 9)}{9 - x^2} = \frac{-(x-3)^2}{9 - x^2}
Now, let's simplify the denominator by recognizing that it's a difference of squares:
\frac{-(x-3)^2}{9 - x^2} = \frac{-(x-3)^2}{(3-x)(3+x)}
We can now see that the expression is equal to:
\frac{-(x-3)^2}{(3-x)(3+x)} = -1
Expression 2:
This expression can be simplified by recognizing that it's a reciprocal of the expression we analyzed earlier.
\frac{3-x}{x-3} = \frac{-(x-3)}{3-x}
We can now see that this expression is equal to:
\frac{-(x-3)}{3-x} = 1
Conclusion
In conclusion, we've determined that:
- Expression 1: reduces to -1
- Expression 2: reduces to 1
Q&A
Q: How do I know which expression reduces to 1 and which one reduces to -1?
A: To determine which expression reduces to 1 and which one reduces to -1, we need to analyze each expression separately. By simplifying the expressions and recognizing the properties of different operations, we can determine which expression is equal to 1 and which one is equal to -1.
Q: What is the key concept that I need to understand to solve this problem?
A: The key concept that you need to understand to solve this problem is the concept of conjugate pairs and the properties of different operations. By recognizing the conjugate pair of as , we can simplify the expression and determine which one reduces to 1 and which one reduces to -1.
Q: Can I use any other method to solve this problem?
A: Yes, you can use any other method to solve this problem. However, the method we used in this article is a straightforward and efficient way to determine which expression reduces to 1 and which one reduces to -1.
Q: What are some common mistakes that I should avoid when solving this problem?
A: Some common mistakes that you should avoid when solving this problem include:
- Not recognizing the conjugate pair of as
- Not simplifying the expressions correctly
- Not recognizing the properties of different operations
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that you solve the problem correctly and efficiently.