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Solving
Solve the rational equation .
Step 1 — Identify restricted values. Factor the quadratic denominator: . The factors of all denominators are and . Setting them to zero yields the restricted values: and .
Step 2 — Find the LCD. The denominators are , , and . The LCD is .
Step 3 — Clear the fractions. Multiply every term on both sides by the LCD and cancel the matching factors: Simplify to obtain the fraction-free equation:
Step 4 — Solve the resulting equation. Distribute: . Combine like terms: . Add to both sides: . Add to both sides: . Divide by : .
Step 5 — Check. The algebraic solution matches a restricted value identified in Step 1. Because substituting into the original equation would result in division by zero, it is an extraneous solution.
Since the only potential algebraic solution is extraneous, the equation has no solution.
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Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax
Ch.7 Rational Expressions and Functions - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax
Algebra