Verify the Rational Equation: Is (x²-64)/(x+8) = (x²+64)/(x+8) True?

Question

Is the equation a true or false statement?

x264x+8=x2+64x+8 \frac{x^2-64}{x+8}=\frac{x^2+64}{x+8}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Are the expressions equal?
00:06 Let's multiply by denominators to reduce them
00:15 Let's reduce what we can
00:26 This equation is incorrect, therefore the expressions are not equal
00:29 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem, we first recognize the potential problem in the equation due to the denominator:

  • The denominator x+8 x + 8 implies x8 x \neq -8 . Otherwise, the expression is undefined.

Next, we will compare the numerators directly:

  • Numerator of the left-hand side: x264 x^2 - 64
  • Numerator of the right-hand side: x2+64 x^2 + 64

The expressions x264 x^2 - 64 and x2+64 x^2 + 64 are not equal for any real number x x , since adding 64 to one is not the same as subtracting 64 from the other. Therefore:

The equation is false for all x8 x \neq -8 that are in the domain of the function, as clearly x264x2+64 x^2 - 64 \neq x^2 + 64 .

Thus, the statement is a Lie.

Answer

Lie