Quick Review 7-5

An equation in which one or more terms is a fraction is called a fractional equation or rational equation. We multiply the equation (every term, both sides) by the least common denominator (nonzero quantity) to clear the denominator.

Examples:


x	=	4(2x - 3)			(now we want to solve for x)
x	=	8x	-	12	(got the x on one side)
-8x	=	-8x

-7x	=	-12			(now divide)
x	=	-12/-7	=	12/7	(You need to make sure this number does not give you a zero in the denominator of you original equation, which it does not)

(If you plug this into your denominator in your original fraction you will get a zero because 1 - 1 = 0. So there is NO solution to this problem.)

(If you plug this into the denominator in your original equation you do not get zero so 17/2 is the answer.)