Fractional Equations

1. homegrown898

16
Because I can't write squared, if x is squared, I will just write it like this: xsquared

x/x +2 MINUS x/xsquared - 4 = x+3/x+2

I get an LCD for each fracton and then I subtract getting this:

xsquared - 2x MINUS x/xsquared - 4 = (x+3)(x-2)/xsquared - 4

What do I do now?

If you don't understand this just ask me to scan it

2. Data

998
I suppose you mean

$$\frac{x}{x+2} - \frac{x}{x^2-4} = \frac{x+3}{x+2} \Longrightarrow \frac{x^2 - 3x}{x^2 - 4} = \frac{(x+3)(x-2)}{x^2 - 4}$$

which is fine.

Last edited: Apr 3, 2005
3. Moo Of Doom

367
Or just learn LaTeX.

I'm not quite sure what you mean. I surmise it is something like this:

$$\frac{x}{x+2}-\frac{x}{x^2-4}=\frac{x+3}{x+2}$$

If it's not right, let me know.

EDIT: Yarr, Data got there before I did...

4. homegrown898

16
Moo, that was right what you posted

And that is where I got but the instructions are to solve

Is that a solution to it?

5. Data

998
Note that there is a small error in the thing you quoted, which I've corrected now.

To solve, multiply $x^2-4$ through both sides, expand on the right, and see what you get.

6. homegrown898

16
I don't want to learn Latex right now because it will take too long but I'll learn it for the future.

This is what I'm getting:

xsquared - 2x - x = xsquared + x - 6

I subtract xsquared on each side to cancel them out getting:

-2x - x = x - 6

I then subract x from each side getting

-3x - x = -6

Then I subract the x

-4x = -6

Did I mess up?

7. Moo Of Doom

367
Looks right to me.