# Algebraic Fractions

• August 11th 2008, 12:02 PM
comet2000
Algebraic Fractions
Solve the equation algebraically.

1. $\frac{2x} {x+1} = \frac{x+1} {2}$

2. $6.5 = \frac {52} {sqrt[z]}$

3. 4.3 = sqrt 18 divided by 7
• August 11th 2008, 12:11 PM
Chop Suey
For the first one:
Given: $\frac{2x} {x+1} = \frac{x+1} {2}$

Cross Multiply: $2x \cdot 2 = (x+1)\cdot(x+1)$

Simply/expand: $4x = x^2 + 2x + 1$

Subtract 4x from both sides: $0 = x^2 - 2x + 1$

Factor: $0 = (x-1)(x-1) = (x-1)^2$

x = 1

Can you rewrite the second question?
• August 11th 2008, 12:14 PM
comet2000
2. $6.5 = \frac {52} {sqrt[z]}$
the 6.5 = is correct.
the z is a squareroot.
52 is on top.
sorry, still learning the coding for it.
don't know how to put z in squareroot.
• August 11th 2008, 12:19 PM
Chop Suey
It's better that you write \sqrt{z} instead, not sqrt[z]. If you wanted cube root though, you should write sqrt[3]{z}. The nth root is $\sqrt[n]{x}$ which is \sqrt[n]{x}. (Wink)

Given: $6.5 = \frac{52}{\sqrt{z}}$
Multiply by the multiplicative inverse of 6.5 on both sides: $1 = \frac{52}{6.5\sqrt{z}}$
Multiply by $\sqrt{z}$ on both sides: $\sqrt{z} = \frac{52}{6.5}$
Square both sides (principal of powers): $z = \left(\frac{52}{6.5}\right)^2$
• August 11th 2008, 12:25 PM
comet2000
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chop Suey
It's better that you write \sqrt{z} instead, not sqrt[z]. If you wanted cube root though, you should write sqrt[3]{z}. The nth root is $\sqrt[n]{x}$ which is \sqrt[n]{x}. (Wink)

Given: $6.5 = \frac{52}{\sqrt{z}}$
Multiply by the multiplicative inverse of 6.5 on both sides: $1 = \frac{52}{6.5\sqrt{z}}$
Multiply by $\sqrt{z}$ on both sides: $\sqrt{z} = \frac{52}{6.5}$
Square both sides (principal of powers): $z = \left(\frac{52}{6.5}\right)^2$

hehe, thanks. (Wink) = me be scare of you.
what do you mean by "multiplicative inverse"?
• August 11th 2008, 03:09 PM
Chop Suey
If x is a real number (not equal to 0), then the multiplicative inverse of x is $\frac{1}{x}$

Don't be scared of me! I'm not really the cookie-monster, hehe.