Solving Rational

Equations
1. Factor everything
2. Multiply every term by the least common
denominator (to clear the fraction)
3. Simplify the equation by:
• Cancelling out all denominators
• Multiplying remaining terms
• Combining like terms
4. Solve for x by:
• Getting x all by itself
• Getting everything on 1 side so it is equal to
zero, then solve by factoring or the quadratic
formula
5. Plug all solutions back into the original equation to
make sure they work. If they don’t, they are
EXTRANEOUS.

Solving Rational
Equations
1. Factor everything
2. Multiply every term by the least common
denominator (to clear the fraction)
3. Simplify the equation by:
• Cancelling out all denominators
• Multiplying remaining terms
• Combining like terms
4. Solve for x by:
• Getting x all by itself
• Getting everything on 1 side so it is equal to
zero, then solve by factoring or the quadratic
formula
5. Plug all solutions back into the original equation to
make sure they work. If they don’t, they are
EXTRANEOUS.