Thread: [SOLVED] solve the equation

Can someone show me how to solve this equation please? This is part of something bigger, but what I'm stuck on is just algebra


I can distribute it to x(2x+1) = 1, but am not really sure what to do from there, or if that's even the proper way to go. I would normally try to factor, but I don't think this is factorable. Any assistance is appreciated.

I think it does factorize to give

you're right, it does factor. I was totally unable to figure that out. Thank you for the assistance.

There is a test you can use to see if something can be factorized:

For any quadratic, ,
Take the discriminant
If the result is a perfect square (i.e. it can be square-rooted and give an integer result), then the sum in question can be factorized.

So for your example,




This is a perfect square so the quadratic can be factorized.

Are You sure, You want solve : ??

So, is a equation the second degré



The Solutions : ,

Thanks Quacky, that's very instructive. I had no idea. That should come in handy.

For the record, the equation above is actually the denominator of a larger equation that I was trying to find the vertical asymptotes for. I know to find those, you just set the denominator to 0, hence the original question. I appreciate all the responses.