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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.

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

x = −1 , x = 0 is not a solution.

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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.

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Explain why possible solutions must be checked in radical equations.

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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.

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

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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.

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Algebraic

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

( x 1 ) 3 4 = 8

x = 17

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x 2 3 5 x 1 3 + 6 = 0

x = 8 ,     x = 27

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

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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

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

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4 y 3 9 y = 0

y = 0 ,     3 2 ,     3 2

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x 3 + 3 x 2 25 x 75 = 0

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m 3 + m 2 m 1 = 0

m = 1 , −1

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

x = 2 5

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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

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

| 3 x 4 | = 8

x = 4 , −4 3

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| 1 4 x | 1 = 5

x = 5 4 , 7 4

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| 2 x 1 | 7 = −2

x = 3 , −2

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| 2 x + 1 | 2 = −3

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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

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4 ( t 1 ) 2 9 ( t 1 ) = −2

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

x = 2 , −2

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

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( x 3 ) 2 4 = 0

x = 1 , 5

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Extensions

For the following exercises, solve for the unknown variable.

x −2 x −1 12 = 0

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| x | 2 = x

All real numbers

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| x 2 + 2 x 36 | = 12

x = 4 , 6 , −6 , −8

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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).

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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.

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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.

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

90 kg

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Questions & Answers

Three charges q_{1}=+3\mu C, q_{2}=+6\mu C and q_{3}=+8\mu C are located at (2,0)m (0,0)m and (0,3) coordinates respectively. Find the magnitude and direction acted upon q_{2} by the two other charges.Draw the correct graphical illustration of the problem above showing the direction of all forces.
Kate Reply
To solve this problem, we need to first find the net force acting on charge q_{2}. The magnitude of the force exerted by q_{1} on q_{2} is given by F=\frac{kq_{1}q_{2}}{r^{2}} where k is the Coulomb constant, q_{1} and q_{2} are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance between them.
Muhammed
What is the direction and net electric force on q_{1}= 5µC located at (0,4)r due to charges q_{2}=7mu located at (0,0)m and q_{3}=3\mu C located at (4,0)m?
Kate Reply
what is the change in momentum of a body?
Eunice Reply
what is a capacitor?
Raymond Reply
Capacitor is a separation of opposite charges using an insulator of very small dimension between them. Capacitor is used for allowing an AC (alternating current) to pass while a DC (direct current) is blocked.
Gautam
A motor travelling at 72km/m on sighting a stop sign applying the breaks such that under constant deaccelerate in the meters of 50 metres what is the magnitude of the accelerate
Maria Reply
please solve
Sharon
8m/s²
Aishat
What is Thermodynamics
Muordit
velocity can be 72 km/h in question. 72 km/h=20 m/s, v^2=2.a.x , 20^2=2.a.50, a=4 m/s^2.
Mehmet
A boat travels due east at a speed of 40meter per seconds across a river flowing due south at 30meter per seconds. what is the resultant speed of the boat
Saheed Reply
50 m/s due south east
Someone
which has a higher temperature, 1cup of boiling water or 1teapot of boiling water which can transfer more heat 1cup of boiling water or 1 teapot of boiling water explain your . answer
Ramon Reply
I believe temperature being an intensive property does not change for any amount of boiling water whereas heat being an extensive property changes with amount/size of the system.
Someone
Scratch that
Someone
temperature for any amount of water to boil at ntp is 100⁰C (it is a state function and and intensive property) and it depends both will give same amount of heat because the surface available for heat transfer is greater in case of the kettle as well as the heat stored in it but if you talk.....
Someone
about the amount of heat stored in the system then in that case since the mass of water in the kettle is greater so more energy is required to raise the temperature b/c more molecules of water are present in the kettle
Someone
definitely of physics
Haryormhidey Reply
how many start and codon
Esrael Reply
what is field
Felix Reply
physics, biology and chemistry this is my Field
ALIYU
field is a region of space under the influence of some physical properties
Collete
what is ogarnic chemistry
WISDOM Reply
determine the slope giving that 3y+ 2x-14=0
WISDOM
Another formula for Acceleration
Belty Reply
a=v/t. a=f/m a
IHUMA
innocent
Adah
pratica A on solution of hydro chloric acid,B is a solution containing 0.5000 mole ofsodium chlorid per dm³,put A in the burret and titrate 20.00 or 25.00cm³ portion of B using melting orange as the indicator. record the deside of your burret tabulate the burret reading and calculate the average volume of acid used?
Nassze Reply
how do lnternal energy measures
Esrael
Two bodies attract each other electrically. Do they both have to be charged? Answer the same question if the bodies repel one another.
JALLAH Reply
No. According to Isac Newtons law. this two bodies maybe you and the wall beside you. Attracting depends on the mass och each body and distance between them.
Dlovan
Are you really asking if two bodies have to be charged to be influenced by Coulombs Law?
Robert
like charges repel while unlike charges atttact
Raymond
What is specific heat capacity
Destiny Reply
Specific heat capacity is a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It is measured in Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C).
AI-Robot
specific heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius or kelvin
ROKEEB
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Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
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