Lesson 3
1. Lesson 3
1.7. Explore 3
Module 7: Rational Functions and Function Operations
When solving a rational equation, it is common to come across extraneous roots. Try This 3 explores this idea.
Try This 3
Tyrone and Kalina are trying to solve
Tyrone used an algebraic approach and wrote the following steps:
Kalina decided to use a graphical approach and made this graph. She agreed with Tyrone’s solution, as the functions on her graph looked as though they could possibly intersect at about x = 3 as the functions continued.
- Substitute x = 3 into
to check that it is a solution.
- What error did Tyrone make?
- What error did Kalina make?
- What should Tyrone and Kalina have stated as the solution to
? Explain.

The algebra of Tyrone’s solution is correct.