[Math] Finding Domain of a Function with a Fraction Inside a Square Root

algebra-precalculusfunctions

I need to find the domain of this function:

$$
f(x) = \sqrt{\frac{x-3}{x^2-3x+2}}
$$

I understand that initially the denominator cannot be zero, and since it's just a formatted equation with roots 1 and 2, I know that 1 and 2 cannot be in the domain. However I can't get along when checking for the whole fraction to not be negative. I'm working with this:

$$
\sqrt{\frac{x-3}{x^2-3x+2}} \geq 0 \quad\rightarrow\quad x-3 \geq x^2-3x+2
$$

How shall I proceed here? Factored version of the equation $(x-2)(x-1)$ does not appear to be helpful.

Best Answer

$$ f(x) = \sqrt{\frac{x-3}{x^2-3x+2}}= \sqrt{\frac{x-3}{(x-1)(x-2)}} $$

So the domain is when $$\frac{x-3}{(x-1)(x-2)}\ge0$$ and $$x\neq1$$ and $$x\neq2$$

$$\mathrm{Domain}=(1, 2)\cup[3, \infty)$$ enter image description here

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