Problem

Find the domain of the function.
\[
f(x)=\log _{3}\left(\frac{3}{x+2}\right)
\]

Answer

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Answer

\(\boxed{x > -2}\)

Steps

Step 1 :The domain of a function is the set of all possible input values (often referred to as 'x' values) which will output real numbers.

Step 2 :For the function \(f(x) = \log_3\left(\frac{3}{x+2}\right)\), the argument of the logarithm, which is \(\frac{3}{x+2}\), must be greater than zero. This is because the logarithm of a negative number or zero is undefined in the real number system.

Step 3 :So, we have the inequality: \(\frac{3}{x+2} > 0\)

Step 4 :To solve this inequality, we first find the critical points by setting the numerator and denominator equal to zero.

Step 5 :For the numerator, 3 = 0, there are no solutions.

Step 6 :For the denominator, x + 2 = 0, the solution is x = -2.

Step 7 :Now, we test the intervals determined by the critical point x = -2.

Step 8 :For x < -2, the expression \(\frac{3}{x+2}\) is positive because a positive number divided by a negative number is negative, and the logarithm of a negative number is undefined.

Step 9 :For x > -2, the expression \(\frac{3}{x+2}\) is positive because a positive number divided by a positive number is positive, and the logarithm of a positive number is defined.

Step 10 :Therefore, the domain of the function \(f(x) = \log_3\left(\frac{3}{x+2}\right)\) is x > -2.

Step 11 :\(\boxed{x > -2}\)

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