Let \(A=\frac{b-c}{\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c}}\).
a) When \(b\ne c\), rationalize the denominator using a conjugate and simplify. When \(b=c>0\), evaluate \(A\) directly.
b) Obtain one simplified formula for every allowed input by factoring \(b-c\) and canceling.
c) Find the real domain of \(A\).
Hints
- Before using a conjugate as a factor of one, check whether it could be zero.
- Can you factor the numerator as a difference of two squares?
- Which input pair makes both terms in the original denominator zero?
Solution
1. When \(b\ne c\) and both roots are real, multiply by \(\frac{\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c}}{\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c}}\). The denominator product becomes \(b-c\), so \(A=\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c}\).
2. When \(b=c>0\), the original fraction is \(\frac{0}{2\sqrt{b}}=0\), which agrees with \(\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c}=0\). The conjugate quotient cannot be used in this case.
3. Alternatively, factor \(b-c=(\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c})(\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c})\). The second factor in the denominator is nonzero on the original domain, so cancellation gives \(A=\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c}\) for every allowed input.
4. Real roots require \(b\ge0\), \(c\ge0\); their sum is zero only if both are zero. Thus \((b,c)\ne(0,0)\).
Answer
a) For \(b\ne c\), multiplying by the conjugate gives \(A=\frac{(b-c)(\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c})}{b-c}=\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c}\). For \(b=c>0\), the original fraction gives \(A=0\) directly.
b) Since \(b-c=(\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c})(\sqrt{b}+\sqrt{c})\), canceling the nonzero original denominator gives \(A=\sqrt{b}-\sqrt{c}\) throughout the original domain.
c) \(b\ge0\), \(c\ge0\), and \((b,c)\ne(0,0)\).