Rationalizing a numerator

Question

My goal was to remove the radical from the numerator of the function: $$f(x)=\frac{\sqrt{x^2+9}-3}{x^2}$$ I first entered my function.

f[x_] = (Sqrt[9 + x^2] - 3)/x^2

Then I created a list.

lst = {Numerator[f[x]], Denominator[f[x]]}

Then I multiplied both components of the list by $\sqrt{x^2+9}+3$, simplifying the result.

lst = lst*(Sqrt[9 + x^2] + 3) // Simplify

Then I changed the list back to a fraction.

f[x_] = lst /. {x_, y_} -> x/y

Which gave me: $$\frac{1}{3+\sqrt{9+x^2}}$$

I have a couple of questions.

Is there a simpler way to convert my last list back to a fraction?
Anyone have a simpler overall process for this particular sequence of algebraic manipulations?
I know I've seen a page on Mathematica Stack Exchange where there is a long list of how to simplify and change algebraic expressions, but I've been unable to find it. If someone knows of these links, can they share them?

Thanks.

Simplify[f[x]*(Sqrt[9 + x^2] + 3)]/(Sqrt[9 + x^2] + 3) removes the need for the Divide — bill s, Dec 17 '15 at 01:46
@David, why not just FullSimplify[f[x]] for the initial statement? — garej, Dec 19 '15 at 20:05
@garej Because it is not just the answer that I am interested in helping my students with. Yes, I will show them the Simplify and the FullSimplify command to help them check their answers. But there is a lot of detailed hand work to do in evaluating limits and derivatives and if they don't get the correct answer, I want to be able to show them how they can check some of their step-by-step work in order to discover where they have made their error. — David, Dec 20 '15 at 20:29

score 9 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:55

9

Simplification is in the eye of the beholder. One approach is

f = (Sqrt[9 + x^2] - 3)/x^2;
1/FullSimplify[1/f]
(* 1/(3 + Sqrt[9 + x^2]) *)
FullSimplify[x^2 %]/x^2
(* (-3 + Sqrt[9 + x^2])/x^2 *)

You may be thinking of this question.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:55

Community

answered Dec 17 '15 at 01:55

bbgodfrey

1 Answers1