College Algebra Tutorial 15


College Algebra
Answer/Discussion to Practice Problems  
Tutorial 15: Equations with Rational Expressions


WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab > College Algebra > Tutorial 15: Equations with Rational Expressions


 

 

check markAnswer/Discussion to 1a

problem 1a
 

Step 1: Simplify by removing the fractions.

 
ad1a

 
 

*Factor 1st den.
 

*Mult. both sides by LCD of 2(y + 3)(y - 2)
 
 

 
 

Step 2: Solve the remaining equation.

 
ad1a2

*Remove ( ) by using dist. prop.

*Get all y terms on one side
 

*Inverse of sub. 4 is add. 4

 
 

Step 3: Check for extraneous solutions

 
Note that -8 does not cause any denominators to be zero.  So it is not an extraneous solution.

-8 is the solution to our equation.
 

(return to problem 1a)


 

 

check markAnswer/Discussion to 1b

problem 1b
 

Step 1: Simplify by removing the fractions.

 
ad1b1
*Mult. both sides by LCD of a - 5
 
 

 
Step 2: Solve the remaining equation.

 
adab2
*Remove ( ) by using dist. prop.
 

*Get all a terms on one side
 

*Inverse of add. 10 is sub. 10
 

*Inverse of mult. by -2 is div. by -2

 
 

Step 3: Check for extraneous solutions

 
Note that 5 does cause two of the denominators to be zero. 

So 5 is an extraneous solution.  That means there is no solution.

The answer is NO solution.
 

(return to problem 1b)

 
 

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WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab > College Algebra > Tutorial 15: Equations with Rational Expressions


Last revised on Dec. 16, 2009 by Kim Seward.
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