SOLUTION: I am having a very difficult time trying to reach the solution to this problem. I am to find the value of x: x/x+5 = x-4/x So far, I've crosses multiplied them and arrived at

Algebra ->  Proportions -> SOLUTION: I am having a very difficult time trying to reach the solution to this problem. I am to find the value of x: x/x+5 = x-4/x So far, I've crosses multiplied them and arrived at      Log On


   



Question 178894This question is from textbook Geometry
: I am having a very difficult time trying to reach the solution to this problem.
I am to find the value of x:
x/x+5 = x-4/x
So far, I've crosses multiplied them and arrived at 2x = x+5(x-4).
Then, I foiled out the second part of the equation and got:
2x = x^2-4x+5x-20 and simplified that to 2x=x^2+x-20.
Now, I'm at a loss to do. Was I supposed to have foiled out the problem and if so, did I do it incorrectly?
I don't know how to solve for x at this point in the equation.
This question is from textbook Geometry

Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, Mathtut:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x/x+5 = x-4/x
So far, I've crosses multiplied them and arrived at 2x = x+5(x-4).
Then, I foiled out the second part of the equation and got:
2x = x^2-4x+5x-20 and simplified that to 2x=x^2+x-20.
--------------
x^2 = (x+5)*(x-4) Not 2x
x^2 = x^2 + x - 20
0 = x-20
x = 20

Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
well, it appears as if your mistake is multiply x by x and getting 2x instead of x%5E2.
:
so when you cross multiply you should have
:
x%5E2=%28x-4%29%28x%2B5%29
:
x%5E2=x%5E2%2B5x-4x-20
:
x=20 as you can see the x%5E2terms cancel out....you were very close