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 6.6 - Rational Equations - Exercise Set - Page 463: 32

Answer

Solution set = $\displaystyle \{\frac{1}{7}\}$.

Work Step by Step

Factor each denominator $(x^{2}+bx+c$ is factored by searching for factors of c whose sum is b). $x^{2}+3x-10$ = $\left[\begin{array}{lll} factors & of & -10\\ +5,-2 & , & 5-2=3 \end{array}\right]=(x-2)(x+5)$ $x^{2}+x-6$ = $\left[\begin{array}{lll} factors & of & -6\\ +3,-2, & , & 3-2=1 \end{array}\right]=(x+3)(x-2)$ $x^{2}-x-12$ = $\left[\begin{array}{lll} factors & of & -12\\ -4,+3, & & -4+3=-1 \end{array}\right]=(x-4)(x+3)$ Rewrite the equation $\displaystyle \frac{4}{(x-2)(x+5)}-\frac{1}{(x+3)(x-2)}=\frac{3}{(x-4)(x+3)}$ First, we exclude those values of x that yield a zero in any of the denominators. $x\not\in\{-5,-3,2,4 \}\qquad (*)$ Multiply the equation with the LCD=$(x+5)(x+3)(x-2)(x-4)$ $ 4(x+3)(x-4)-1(x+5)(x-4)=3(x+5)(x-2)\qquad$ ... simplify (distribute) $4(x^{2}-x-12)-(x^{2}+x-20)=3(x^{2}+3x-10)$ $4x^{2}-4x-48-x^{2}-x+20=3x^{2}+9x-30$ $ 3x^{2}-5x-28=3x^{2}+9x-30 \qquad$ ... add $28-3x^{2}-9x$ to both sides $-14x=-2$ $ x=\displaystyle \frac{-2}{-14}=\frac{1}{7}\qquad$ ...Checking (*), this is a valid solution Solution set = $\displaystyle \{\frac{1}{7}\}$.
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