Analyzing the Domain of 5\(5x+2.5): Avoiding Undefined Points

Question

Look at the following function:

55x+212 \frac{5}{5x+2\frac{1}{2}}

What is the domain of the function?

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Does the function have a domain? If so, what is it?
00:03 To find the domain, remember that we can't divide by 0
00:07 So let's see what solution makes the denominator zero
00:11 Let's isolate X
00:44 Multiply by the reciprocal
00:51 Make sure to multiply numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator
00:55 Simplify what we can
01:00 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

The given function is:

55x+212 \frac{5}{5x + 2\frac{1}{2}}

To determine the domain, we ensure that the denominator is not equal to zero because division by zero is undefined. So, we start by evaluating 5x+2120 5x + 2\frac{1}{2} \neq 0 .
This requires conversion of the mixed number 212 2\frac{1}{2} into an improper fraction or decimal:

212=2+12=42+12=52 2\frac{1}{2} = 2 + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{4}{2} + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{5}{2}

Substituting the improper fraction, our equation becomes:

5x+520 5x + \frac{5}{2} \neq 0

To clear the fraction, multiply through by 2, yielding:

25x+50 2 \cdot 5x + 5 \neq 0

10x+50 10x + 5 \neq 0

Solving for x x by subtracting 5 from both sides informs us:

10x5 10x \neq -5

Now, divide by 10:

x510 x \neq -\frac{5}{10}

Simplify the fraction:

x12 x \neq -\frac{1}{2}

This solution directly identifies the x x value not in the domain:

The domain of the function is all real numbers except x=12 x = -\frac{1}{2} .

Therefore, the domain of the function is x12\mathbf{x \ne -\frac{1}{2}}.

Hence, the correct choice from the given options is:

Choice 4: x12 x \ne -\frac{1}{2}

Answer

x12 x\ne-\frac{1}{2}