Chapter 9: Problem 40
$$ \frac{1}{x-3} ; a=1 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The value of the function at a = 1 is -1/2.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Given Function
We are given the function \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-3} \) and we need to evaluate or understand this function when \( a = 1 \). This means substituting \( x = 1 \) into the function.
02
Substitute the Given Value
Substitute \( x = 1 \) into the function: \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x - 3} \). This becomes \( f(1) = \frac{1}{1 - 3} \).
03
Simplify the Expression
Simplify the expression \( f(1) = \frac{1}{1 - 3} \). Perform the subtraction in the denominator: \( 1 - 3 = -2 \). Therefore, \( f(1) = \frac{1}{-2} \).
04
Write the Final Answer
The value of the function \( f(x) \) at \( a = 1 \) is \( f(1) = -\frac{1}{2} \). This gives us the function's value at this specific point.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Evaluating functions at a point
When we talk about evaluating functions at a point, we are essentially interested in finding the output value of a function for a particular input. A function, such as \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-3} \), relies on its input \( x \) to produce an output. By specifying \( a = 1 \), you are instructed to calculate what the function yields when \( x = 1 \).
- First, replace \( x \) with the given number, which is \( a = 1 \). This transforms the function to \( f(1) = \frac{1}{1-3} \).
- The main goal is to compute the result of this transformation to find the particular value at point \( a \).
Simplifying expressions
Simplifying expressions is like cleaning up math to make it more understandable. It means performing all possible arithmetic and reducing fractions when you substitute a number into a function. In this case, after inserting \( x = 1 \) into the function \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-3} \), the expression becomes \( f(1) = \frac{1}{1-3} \).
- Start with solving the subtraction in the denominator: \( 1 - 3 \).
- Calculate \( 1 - 3 = -2 \).
- The fraction \( \frac{1}{-2} \) simplifies to the consistent and final result of \( -\frac{1}{2} \).
Substitution in functions
Substitution in functions is a method where you replace the variable in a function with a particular value. This technique allows you to pinpoint exactly what the function equals at specific inputs. In this exercise, the function is \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-3} \), and you're told to substitute \( x = 1 \).
- Switch out the \( x \) with the value you're given, which turns the function into \( f(1) = \frac{1}{1-3} \).
- The substitution is a direct swap inside the expression, facilitating the evaluation of the function at that point.