SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS

Example 1
3 4
Solve for x if 𝑥−1 = 𝑥+2

Solution:

Multiply both sides by the LCD which is (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2). Simplify the equation to have 3(𝑥 + 2) = 4(𝑥 − 1). This is done
only when the equation involves only one term in each side of the equation. Note that this process is the same as cross
multiplying. You have:

3(𝑥 + 2) = 4(𝑥 − 1)
3𝑥 + 6 = 4𝑥 − 4
6 + 4 = 4𝑥 − 3𝑥
10 = 𝑥
Hence, x= 10

Example 2
1 2
Find the solution of − =1
𝑥+1 𝑥+2

Solution:

The LCD is (x+1)(x+2). Multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD yields

3(𝑥 + 2) − 2(𝑥 + 1) = (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 2)

3𝑥 + 6 − 2𝑥 − 2 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2

𝑥 + 4 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2
0 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 2

or 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 2 = 0

Using the quadratic formula,

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
−2 ± √4 − 4(1)(−2) −2 ± √12 2(−1 ± 3)
𝑥= = = = −1 ± √3
2 2 2
Hence, the solution set is {−1 − √3, −1 + √3}.

Example 3
2 1
Solve for y in the equation = − 3.
𝑦 𝑦−2

Solution:

Multiplying both sides by the LCD, which is𝑦(𝑦 − 2),yields Using quadratic formula,
−𝑏±√𝑏−4𝑎𝑐
2(𝑦 − 2) = 𝑦 − 3(𝑦)(𝑦 − 2) 𝑥= 2𝑎

5±√25−4(3)(−4)
2𝑦 − 4 = 𝑦 − 3𝑦 2 + 6𝑦 𝑥= 2(3)

2𝑦 − 4 = −3𝑦 2 + 7𝑦 𝑥 = 5 ± √73

0 = −3𝑦 2 + 5y + 4 Hence, the solution set is {5 − √73, 5 + √73}

or 3𝑦 2 − 5𝑦 − 4 = 0