Lesson 7.

5
Solving Rational
Equations

Clear an equation of fractions by multiplying

each side of equation by LCD.
4 x

5 7

Multiply both sides of

equation by 35.

35 4 x 35

1 5 7 1
28 5x
28
x
5

Check solution

fraction = fraction
x 3

4 8
8 x 12
12
x
8
3
x
2

cross multiply

x
6 x 9
4
x
4(6 ) ( x 9)4
4
24 x 4 x 36
60 x 4 x
60 5x
12 x

Multiply both
sides by 4
Add 36 to both
sides
Add x to both
sides

h 2 h 1 2

5
9
3
h 2 h 1 2
45

45

9 3
5
9(h 2) 5(h 1) 2(15)
9h 18 5h 5 30
4h 23 30
4h 7
7
h
4

2
1
2

( x 4)(x 2) x 4 x 2

( x 4)( x 2)
2
2 ( x 4)( x 2)
1

1
(
x

4)(
x

2)
x

4
x

2
1

2 x 2 2( x 4)
2 x 2 2x 8
2 3x 10
12 3x
4x

Check solution
x = 4 makes the
denominator = 0.
No Solution

1
3

2
x 1 x 1
( x 1)( x 1) 1
3

2( x 1)( x 1)

1
x 1 x 1
x 1 3(x 1) 2( x 2 1)
x 1 3x 3 2 x 2 2
4x 2 2x 2 2
0 2x 2 4x
0 2 x( x 2)

2x 0
x 0

x 2 0
x 2

Applications--Work-Rate
Problem
With only the cold water valve open, it
takes 8 minutes to fill the tub of a washing
machine. With both the hot and cold
water valves open, it takes only 5 minutes.
How long will it take the tub to fill with only
the hot water valve open?
rate for cold + rate for hot = rate for warm