Question

Which of the following would be extraneous roots to the following if a and b are constants?
a/x^2-4=b/x+1

Select all that apply

–2

–1

1

2

Answer 1

Extraneous: -2, -1, 2.

Reason: Interpreting the equation as a/(x^2 − 4) = b/(x + 1), the denominators are zero at x = ±2 (since x^2 − 4 = (x−2)(x+2)) and x = −1, so those values must be excluded. 1 is allowed.