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Solving Fractional Equations: An equation in which one or more terms is a fraction is called a
fractional equation. To solve a fractional equation, first eliminate the fractions by multiplying by
the lowest common denominator (LCD) of every term. With the fractions thus eliminated, the
equation is then solved like any non-fractional equation.
1)
Solve for x:
5
3
15
Solution:
15
15
3
15
5
9 x 5x 2
1
x
2
Equations with the variable in the denominator: The procedure is the same when the variable
appears in the denominator of one or more terms. However, the LCD will now contain the
unknown.
2)
Solve for x:
3x
x
2
Solution:
1
6x
6 x
x
3x
5
1
6 x
6 x
3x
x
2
4 30 3x
3 x 26
26
x
3
6x
Check:
2
26
3
2
26
2
26
?
5
1
26
2
13
? 15
26
26
2
checks!
26
Fractional EquationsExplanation
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3)
Solution:
40 x 2 43 x 7 50 x 2 50 x 8 10 x 2 8 x
43 x 7 42 x 8
x 1
Be especially sure to
check your answer
after multiplying by an
LCD containing the
variable because this
will often introduce an
extraneous solution.
4)
Check:
8(1) 7 ?
2(1)
2
5(1) 4
5(1) 1
15 ?
2
2
9
6
5
6
1
checks!
3
3
3
Solution:
First find the LCD of all the denominators and then multiply both sides of the
equation by the LCD.
x 2 9 ( x 3)( x 3)
x2 x2
x 2 3 x x( x 3)
x 2 x 3 ( x 3)
x
2
1
1
x 2 x 3 ( x 3) 2 x 2 x 3 ( x 3)
( x 3) ( x 3)
x ( x 3)
x
2 x 2 ( x 3)( x 3) x( x 3)
(x 0, -3, 3)
2 x x 9 x 3x
2
2 x 2 2 x 2 3x 9
9 3x
3 x
There is no solution. The solution set is the empty set, . The original equation is a contradiction.
(Multiplying by the factor (x 3) was, in effect, multiplying by 0.)
2
Fractional EquationsExplanation
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5)
Solution:
First find the LCD of all the denominators and then multiply both sides of the
equation by the LCD.
x7 x7
x 12 x 35 ( x 5)( x 7)
2
x 5 x x ( x 5)
2
x( x 5) ( x 7)
1
2
x
x x 5 ( x 7)
x x 5 ( x 7)
( x 7)
( x 5) ( x 7)
x ( x 5)
x ( x 5) 2 x x( x 7)
(x 0, 5, 7)
x2 5x 2 x x2 7 x
x2 5x x2 5x
00
The equation 0 = 0 is true for all real numbers. Therefore, x can be any real number with the
exception of 0, 5, or 7. We indicated x 0, 5, 7. These values are not included since each of
them would give a 0 denominator. The implication is that all other values are allowed. The
original equation is an identity.
Fractional EquationsExplanation
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