Thread: Solving Rational equations.

i understand how to do this, but wow i am not able to get the correct answer for this question.

(x-1/x-2) - (x+1/1-x) = -1
when i get rid of the denominators by multiplying both sides of the equation by (x-2)(1-x) i end up getting:
2x-x^2-1-x^2+x+2 = 3x- x^2-2
simplified:
x^2-3 = 0

When i use the quadratic formula to solve it get x=1.7

the answers are 0.2, 1.8

help?

Originally Posted by t-dot

2x-x^2-1-x^2+x+2 = 3x- x^2-2

Right side should be x^2 - 3x + 2 ; you forgot to multiply by -1

That'll lead you to 3x^2 - 6x + 1 = 0
Solve that using quadratic equation.

Originally Posted by t-dot

i understand how to do this, but wow i am not able to get the correct answer for this question.

(x-1/x-2) - (x+1/1-x) = -1
when i get rid of the denominators by multiplying both sides of the equation by (x-2)(1-x) i end up getting:
2x-x^2-1-x^2+x+2 = 3x- x^2-2
simplified:
x^2-3 = 0

When i use the quadratic formula to solve it get x=1.7

the answers are 0.2, 1.8

help?

it should be
2x-x^2-1-x^2+x+2 = -(3x- x^2-2)

i knew i was missing something easy....
thanks guys.

Ok, trying to work on rational inequalities: all examples show probs with common denominators, what if you don't have that? Yes, you divide right? still can't get it tho! here's one of my many problems:
4/(x+5) >=(how the hell do you do the math signs?!) I mean greater or equal to btw, 2/(x-2). I need a drink