Intermediate Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-894-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-894-3

Chapter 6 - Section 6.2 - Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions - Exercise Set - Page 429: 95

Answer

It does not make sense

Work Step by Step

We notice that in the given expression $$E=\dfrac{5}{x-7}+\dfrac{3}{7-x}$$ the denominators are opposite. In this case the fastest way to perform the addition is to factor out $-1$ from one of the denominators: $$E=\dfrac{5}{x-7}+\dfrac{3}{-(x-7)}=\dfrac{5}{x-7}+\dfrac{-3}{x-7}=\dfrac{5-3}{x-7}=\dfrac{2}{x-7}.$$ Therefore the given statement doesn't make sense.
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