Chapter 6: Problem 46
Perform the indicated operations and simplify. Check the solution with a graphing calculator. $$1+\frac{1}{1+\frac{1}{1+\frac{1}{x}}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified expression is \( \frac{2x+1}{x+1} \).
Step by step solution
01
Simplify Innermost Fraction
Start with the innermost fraction of the given expression: \( \frac{1}{x} \). We need to work our way outward in the given expression: \[ 1 + \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{x}}} \]
02
Simplify Next Layer
Take the expression from the last step \( \frac{1}{x} \) and substitute it:\[ 1 + \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{x}} \_ \]Inside the denominator, calculate \( 1 + \frac{1}{x} \), substituting that into the next layer:\[ \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{x}} \_ \]This results in:\[ \frac{x}{x+1} \] as the new expression.
03
Simplify Next Outer Layer
Substitute the simplified expression from the previous step:\[ 1 + \frac{x}{x+1} \] Combine this by expressing \(1\) as a fraction with a common denominator:\[ \frac{x+1}{x+1} + \frac{x}{x+1} \_ \]This results in:\[ \frac{x+1+x}{x+1} = \frac{2x+1}{x+1} \] as the simplified expression.
04
Verify with a Graphing Calculator
Use a graphing calculator to check the expression \( 1 + \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{x}}} \). Enter it as \( \frac{2x+1}{x+1} \) and ensure that the graph is consistent or use the calculator's fraction simplification to verify the equivalence of the two expressions.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Fraction Simplification
Fraction simplification involves reducing a complex fraction into its simplest form. This process is essential in algebra to make expressions easier to understand and work with. In our given expression, we have a nested fraction:
The substitution method further simplifies this expression layer by layer until it is reduced to its simplest form \( \frac{2x+1}{x+1} \).
By maintaining attention to each nested fraction step-by-step, fraction simplification becomes manageable and neat.
- Start from the innermost fraction, which is \( \frac{1}{x} \).
- Combine fractions by finding a common denominator.
The substitution method further simplifies this expression layer by layer until it is reduced to its simplest form \( \frac{2x+1}{x+1} \).
By maintaining attention to each nested fraction step-by-step, fraction simplification becomes manageable and neat.
Substitution Method
The substitution method is a powerful tool for simplifying complex algebraic expressions. In this process, you substitute fractions progressively from innermost to outermost layers. For our expression, we:
- Begin by simplifying \( \frac{1}{x} \).
- Substitute this into \( 1 + \frac{1}{x} \), obtaining \( \frac{x+1}{x} \).
- Then, use it in the next expression: \( \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{x}} \), simplified to \( \frac{x}{x+1} \).
- Finally, replace into the larger expression: \( 1 + \frac{x}{x+1} \), which simplifies to \( \frac{2x+1}{x+1} \).
Verifying Solutions with Technology
Verification using technology, such as graphing calculators, is an excellent strategy to ensure the accuracy of algebraic solutions. In this exercise, a graphing calculator can quickly confirm the correctness of our simplified expression. Here's how you can use a graphing calculator effectively:
- Input the original expression \( 1 + \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{x}}} \).
- Also, input the simplified version \( \frac{2x+1}{x+1} \).
- Compare both outputs for equivalence, either graphically or numerically.