SOLUTION: I'm trying to solve this problem, and I'm not sure if I should change the inequality sign when (-x+5) is multiplied to the numerators. (These are fractions): 1/x+3 > 1/-x+5

Algebra.Com
Question 1166074: I'm trying to solve this problem, and I'm not sure if I should change the inequality sign when (-x+5) is multiplied to the numerators. (These are fractions):
1/x+3 > 1/-x+5

Answer by Theo(13342)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
i graphed both equations and it's clear to see that 1/(x+3) is greater than 1/(-x+5) when x < 1.

here's the graph.

ddddd

solving this algebraically, i would do the following:

start with 1/(x + 3) > 1 / (-x+5)

i multiply both sides of the equation by (x + 3) to get:

1 > (x + 3) / (-x + 5)

since -x + 5 is within the parentheses, i do not reverse the inequality because i don't have -(x + 5).

in other words, if i let (-x + 5) equal to k, then the equation becomes:

1 > (x + 3) / k

i would then multiply both sides of the equation by k to get:

k > (x + 3)

since k = (-x + 5), i get:

-x + 5 > x + 3

i add x to both sides of the inequality and i subtract 3 from both sides of the inequality to get:

2 > 2x

i divide both sides of the inequality by 2 to get:

1 > x

if 1 > x, then x < 1 is my answer.

the graph confirms that.

the rules for reversing the sign of the equality are:

if you multiply both sides of the inequality by a negative number, the inequality is reversed.

you did not multiply both sides of the inequality by a negative number.
all you did was multiply both sides of the inequality by a number, that number being represented by (-x + 5).

that's not the same as multiplying both sides of the inequality by a negative number.

it's everything on each side of the inequality that has to be multiplied by a negative number that changes the sign of the inequality.






RELATED QUESTIONS

How do i answer these questions? I am trying to help my daughter and can't remember.... (answered by jim_thompson5910)
I am not sure if it is the right place to ask this question, but.. I am stuck on this... (answered by josmiceli)
I'm not sure if this ones the right category... Anyway, for this problem I need to... (answered by MathLover1,ikleyn)
When do you change the sign on an inequality, addition, subraction, multiplication and... (answered by lwsshak3)
Hi, I am trying to solve a problem-- I have to write a paragraph proof for If m<1=m<2,... (answered by midwood_trail)
For the equation |m-2|>1, would I solve it like so: |m-2| > 1 or |m-2| > -1 so |m|> -1 or (answered by jsmallt9)
How do you solve the inequality (3/4)m - 5/6 ≤ (5/6)m - 3/4? I tried to do this... (answered by ReadingBoosters)
I'm not too sure how to write this, but the problem is ... a four is over the sign for... (answered by Nate)
The Instructions: Solve this word problem using an inequality. Express the answer as an... (answered by ewatrrr)