How do you solve 2/(x+3)-4/(x^2+2x-3)=1/(1-x)?

1 Answer
Apr 9, 2016

The given equation is invalid.
There are no possible solutions.

Explanation:

Given
color(white)("XXX")2/(x+3)-4/(x^2+2x-3)=1/(1-x)

Noting that
color(white)("XXX")x^2+2x-3=(x+3)(x-1)
the given equation can be re-written as
color(white)("XXX")(2(x-1))/(x^2+2x-3)-4/(x^2+2x-3)= ((-1)(x+3))/(x^2+2x+3)

Provided x!=-3 and color(red)(x!=1)
then x^2+2x-3 != 0

and we have
color(white)("XXX")2(x-1)-4=-(x+3)

color(white)("XXX")2x-6=-x-3

color(white)("XXX")3x = 3

color(white)("XXX")x=1 ...but this is one of the "forbidden values".

Both the terms 4/(x^2+2x-3) and 1/(1-x) are undefined when x=1