<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Solving a rational equation leading to a quadratic

Solve the following rational equation: 4 x x 1 + 4 x + 1 = 8 x 2 1 .

We want all denominators in factored form to find the LCD. Two of the denominators cannot be factored further. However, x 2 −1 = ( x + 1 ) ( x 1 ) . Then, the LCD is ( x + 1 ) ( x 1 ) . Next, we multiply the whole equation by the LCD.

( x + 1 ) ( x 1 ) [ −4 x x 1 + 4 x + 1 ] = [ −8 ( x + 1 ) ( x 1 ) ] ( x + 1 ) ( x 1 ) −4 x ( x + 1 ) + 4 ( x 1 ) = −8 −4 x 2 4 x + 4 x 4 = −8 −4 x 2 + 4 = 0 −4 ( x 2 1 ) = 0 −4 ( x + 1 ) ( x 1 ) = 0 x = −1 x = 1

In this case, either solution produces a zero in the denominator in the original equation. Thus, there is no solution.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Solve 3 x + 2 x 2 + 1 x = 2 x 2 2 x .

x = −1 , x = 0 is not a solution.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with different types of equations.

Key concepts

  • Rational exponents can be rewritten several ways depending on what is most convenient for the problem. To solve, both sides of the equation are raised to a power that will render the exponent on the variable equal to 1. See [link] , [link] , and [link] .
  • Factoring extends to higher-order polynomials when it involves factoring out the GCF or factoring by grouping. See [link] and [link] .
  • We can solve radical equations by isolating the radical and raising both sides of the equation to a power that matches the index. See [link] and [link] .
  • To solve absolute value equations, we need to write two equations, one for the positive value and one for the negative value. See [link] .
  • Equations in quadratic form are easy to spot, as the exponent on the first term is double the exponent on the second term and the third term is a constant. We may also see a binomial in place of the single variable. We use substitution to solve. See [link] and [link] .
  • Solving a rational equation may also lead to a quadratic equation or an equation in quadratic form. See [link] .

Section exercises

Verbal

In a radical equation, what does it mean if a number is an extraneous solution?

This is not a solution to the radical equation, it is a value obtained from squaring both sides and thus changing the signs of an equation which has caused it not to be a solution in the original equation.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Explain why possible solutions must be checked in radical equations.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Your friend tries to calculate the value 9 3 2 and keeps getting an ERROR message. What mistake is he or she probably making?

He or she is probably trying to enter negative 9, but taking the square root of −9 is not a real number. The negative sign is in front of this, so your friend should be taking the square root of 9, cubing it, and then putting the negative sign in front, resulting in −27.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Explain why | 2 x + 5 | = −7 has no solutions.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Explain how to change a rational exponent into the correct radical expression.

A rational exponent is a fraction: the denominator of the fraction is the root or index number and the numerator is the power to which it is raised.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Algebraic

For the following exercises, solve the rational exponent equation. Use factoring where necessary.

( x 1 ) 3 4 = 8

x = 17

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

x 2 3 5 x 1 3 + 6 = 0

x = 8 ,     x = 27

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

x 7 3 3 x 4 3 4 x 1 3 = 0

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

For the following exercises, solve the following polynomial equations by grouping and factoring.

x 3 + 2 x 2 x 2 = 0

x = −2 , 1 , −1

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

3 x 3 6 x 2 27 x + 54 = 0

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

4 y 3 9 y = 0

y = 0 ,     3 2 ,     3 2

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

x 3 + 3 x 2 25 x 75 = 0

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

m 3 + m 2 m 1 = 0

m = 1 , −1

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

5 x 3 + 45 x = 2 x 2 + 18

x = 2 5

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

For the following exercises, solve the radical equation. Be sure to check all solutions to eliminate extraneous solutions.

3 x + 7 + x + 2 = 1

x = −2

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

For the following exercises, solve the equation involving absolute value.

| 3 x 4 | = 8

x = 4 , −4 3

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

| 1 4 x | 1 = 5

x = 5 4 , 7 4

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

| 2 x 1 | 7 = −2

x = 3 , −2

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

| 2 x + 1 | 2 = −3

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

For the following exercises, solve the equation by identifying the quadratic form. Use a substitute variable and find all real solutions by factoring.

x 4 10 x 2 + 9 = 0

x = 1 , −1 , 3 , −3

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

4 ( t 1 ) 2 9 ( t 1 ) = −2

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( x 2 1 ) 2 + ( x 2 1 ) 12 = 0

x = 2 , −2

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( x + 1 ) 2 8 ( x + 1 ) 9 = 0

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( x 3 ) 2 4 = 0

x = 1 , 5

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Extensions

For the following exercises, solve for the unknown variable.

x −2 x −1 12 = 0

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

| x | 2 = x

All real numbers

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

| x 2 + 2 x 36 | = 12

x = 4 , 6 , −6 , −8

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Real-world applications

For the following exercises, use the model for the period of a pendulum, T , such that T = 2 π L g , where the length of the pendulum is L and the acceleration due to gravity is g .

If the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s 2 and the period equals 1 s, find the length to the nearest cm (100 cm = 1 m).

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If the gravity is 32 ft/s 2 and the period equals 1 s, find the length to the nearest in. (12 in. = 1 ft). Round your answer to the nearest in.

10 in.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

For the following exercises, use a model for body surface area, BSA, such that B S A = w h 3600 , where w = weight in kg and h = height in cm.

Find the height of a 72-kg female to the nearest cm whose B S A = 1.8.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Find the weight of a 177-cm male to the nearest kg whose B S A = 2.1.

90 kg

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

it is the relatively stable flow of income
Chidubem Reply
what is circular flow of income
Divine Reply
branches of macroeconomics
SHEDRACK Reply
what is Flexible exchang rate?
poudel Reply
is gdp a reliable measurement of wealth
Atega Reply
introduction to econometrics
Husseini Reply
Hi
mostafa
hi
LEMLEM
hello
Sammol
hi
Mahesh
bi
Ruqayat
hi
Ruqayat
Hi fellas
Nyawa
hey
Sammol
hi
God
hello
Jahara
Good morning
Jorge
hi
abubakar
hi
Nmesoma
hi
Mahesh
Hi
Tom
Why is unemployment rate never zero at full employment?
Priyanka Reply
bcoz of existence of frictional unemployment in our economy.
Umashankar
what is flexible exchang rate?
poudel
due to existence of the pple with disabilities
Abdulraufu
the demand of a good rises, causing the demand for another good to fall
Rushawn Reply
is it possible to leave every good at the same level
Joseph
I don't think so. because check it, if the demand for chicken increases, people will no longer consume fish like they used to causing a fall in the demand for fish
Anuolu
is not really possible to let the value of a goods to be same at the same time.....
Salome
Suppose the inflation rate is 6%, does it mean that all the goods you purchase will cost 6% more than previous year? Provide with reasoning.
Geetha Reply
Not necessarily. To measure the inflation rate economists normally use an averaged price index of a basket of certain goods. So if you purchase goods included in the basket, you will notice that you pay 6% more, otherwise not necessarily.
Waeth
discus major problems of macroeconomics
Alii Reply
what is the problem of macroeconomics
Yoal
Economic growth Stable prices and low unemployment
Ephraim
explain inflationcause and itis degre
Miresa Reply
what is inflation
Getu
increase in general price levels
WEETO
Good day How do I calculate this question: C= 100+5yd G= 2000 T= 2000 I(planned)=200. Suppose the actual output is 3000. What is the level of planned expenditures at this level of output?
Chisomo Reply
how to calculate actual output?
Chisomo
how to calculate the equilibrium income
Beshir
Criteria for determining money supply
Thapase Reply
who we can define macroeconomics in one line
Muhammad
Aggregate demand
Mohammed
C=k100 +9y and i=k50.calculate the equilibrium level of output
Mercy Reply
Hi
Isiaka
Hi
Geli
hy
Man
👋
Bahunda
hy how are you?
Man
ys
Amisha
how are you guys
Sekou
f9 guys
Amisha
how are you guys
Sekou
ys am also fine
Amisha
fine and you guys
Geli
from Nepal
Amisha
nawalparasi district from belatari
Amisha
nd u
Amisha
I am Camara from Guinea west Africa... happy to meet you guys here
Sekou
ma management ho
Amisha
ahile becheclor ho
Amisha
hjr ktm bta ho ani k kaam grnu hunxa tw
Amisha
belatari
Amisha
1st year ho
Amisha
nd u
Amisha
ahh
Amisha
kaha biratnagar
Amisha
ys
Amisha
kina k vo
Amisha
money as unit of account means what?
Kalombe
A unit of account is something that can be used to value goods and services and make calculations
Jim
all of you please speak in English I can't understand you're language
Muhammad
I want to know how can we define macroeconomics in one line
Muhammad
it must be .9 or 0.9 no Mpc is greater than 1 Y=100+.9Y+50 Y-.9Y=150 0.1Y/0.1=150/0.1 Y=1500
Kalombe
Mercy is it clear?😋
Kalombe
hi can someone help me on this question If a negative shocks shifts the IS curve to the left, what type of policy do you suggest so as to stabilize the level of output? discuss your answer using appropriate graph.
Galge Reply
if interest rate is increased this will will reduce the level of income shifting the curve to the left ◀️
Kalombe
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 5

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Algebra and trigonometry' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask