How do you solve the rational equation #x / 3 - 2 / 3 = 1 / x#?
1 Answer
Jan 28, 2016
Explanation:
Notice that the fractions on the left hand side have the same denominator, so they can be combined easily.
#(x-2)/3=1/x#
Now, we can cross multiply.
#x(x-2)=3(1)#
#x^2-2x=3#
#x^2-2x-3=0#
This is factorable.
#(x-3)(x+1)=0#
This can be split up, since we have two things being multiplied and equalling zero.
#x-3=0" "" ""or"" "" "x+1=0#
#x=3" "" "" "" "" "" "x=-1#