Got the question from Khan academy under the linked chapter.
Why is it that we need to establish that “$x$ is not equal $-3$” before we cancel after factoring?
I was under the impression we can cancel any algebra that we can simplify.
Got the question from Khan academy under the linked chapter.
Why is it that we need to establish that “$x$ is not equal $-3$” before we cancel after factoring?
I was under the impression we can cancel any algebra that we can simplify.
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It is not the act of canceling that requires us to establish/require that $x$ is not equal to $-3$, but the fact that $x+3$ appears as the denominator of a fraction. After canceling, we have to remember that the formula we get is valid only for $x \neq -3$, even though $x+3$ doesn't appear as a denominator anymore.