At first glance, these two look the same -- after all, one could simplify \(\sqrt{\frac{x+1}{x-1}}\)into \(\frac{\sqrt{x+1}}{\sqrt{x-1}}\).
However, if we try to graph these using an x-y table:
x | y |
-2 | \(\sqrt{\frac{-1}{-3}} = \sqrt{\frac{1}{3}} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}\) |
-1 | \(\sqrt{\frac{-1+1}{-1-1}}=\sqrt{\frac{0}{-2}}=0\) |
0 | (undefined) |
1 | (undefined, asymptote) |
2 | \(\sqrt{\frac{3}{1}}=\sqrt{3}\) |
x | y |
-2 | undefined |
-1 | undefined |
0 | undefined |
1 | undefined, asymptote |
2 | \(\sqrt{\frac{3}{1}}=\sqrt{3}\) |
3 | ... |
As you can see, \(\sqrt{\frac{x+1}{x-1}}\)allows for negative values, but \(\frac{\sqrt{x+1}}{\sqrt{x-1}}\)doesn't.
My advice: when in doubt, plug in a few numbers of graph it.