How to find the solution of a rational equation with a binomial denominator

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Algebra › How to find the solution of a rational equation with a binomial denominator

Questions 1 - 10
1

Solve for .

,

,

,

,

Explanation

The two fractions on the left side of the equation need a common denominator. We can easily do find one by multiplying both the top and bottom of each fraction by the denominator of the other.

becomes .

becomes .

Now add the two fractions:

To solve, multiply both sides of the equation by , yielding

.

Multiply both sides by 3:

Move all terms to the same side:

This looks like a complicated equation to factor, but luckily, the only factors of 37 are 37 and 1, so we are left with

.

Our solutions are therefore

and

.

2

Solve for .

Explanation

Multiply each side of the equation by

Distribute 5 to each term in parentheses.

Subtract 25 from each side of equation.

Divide each side of equation by 5.

Square root of each side of equation.

3

Simplify the expression:

Explanation

First, factor out x from the numerator:

Notice that the resultant expression in the parentheses is quadratic. This expression can be further factored:

We can then cancel the (x-3) which appears in both the numerator and denominator:

Finally, distribute the x outside of the parentheses to reach our answer:

4

Solve for .

Explanation

Multiply each side by

Distribute 3 to the terms in parentheses.

Subtract 6 from each side of the equation.

Divide each side by 3.

5

Solve for .

None of the other answers.

Explanation

Multiply each side by

Distribute 2 to each term of the polynomial.

Divide the polynomial by 6.

Divide each side by 6.

Subtract the term from each side.

6

Simplify:

Explanation

Factor out from the numerator which gives us

Hence we get the following

which is equal to

7

Simplify:

Explanation

If we factors the denominator we get

Hence the rational expression becomes equal to

which is equal to

8

For all values , which of the following is equivalent to the expression above?

Explanation

First, factor the numerator. We need factors that multiply to and add to .

We can plug the factored terms into the original expression.

Note that appears in both the numerator and the denominator. This allows us to cancel the terms.

This is our final answer.

9

Which of the following fractions is NOT equivalent to ?

Explanation

We know that is equivalent to or .

By this property, there is no way to get from .

Therefore the correct answer is .

10

Find the values of which will make the given rational expression undefined:

Explanation

If or , the denominator is 0, which makes the expression undefined.

This happens when x = 1 or when x = -2.

Therefore the correct answer is .

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