document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=465534>Question 465534</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I am confused on how to solve this problem\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3a/a^2-2a-15 -a/a+3=2a/a-5 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "I am trying to figure out solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions. I can't figure this out cause all are fractions.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Thanks </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #319020 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=algebrahouse.com><B>algebrahouse.com(1659)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=algebrahouse.com><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=algebrahouse.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=319020\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> First, you have to make sure everything is completely factored.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Then, you have to eliminate the fractions by multiplying the entire equation by the least common denominator.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3a/(aČ - 2a - 15) - a/(a + 3) = 2a/(a - 5)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3a/(a + 3)(a - 5) - a/(a + 3) = 2a/(a - 5) {factored denominator of 1st term}\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply the entire equation by the least common denominator:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "[(a + 3)(a - 5)] [3a/(a + 3)(a - 5) - a/(a + 3) = 2a/(a - 5)]\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply each term by the common denominator:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(a + 3)(a - 5)[3a/(a + 3)(a - 5)] - (a + 3)(a - 5)[a/(a + 3)] = (a + 3)(a - 5)[2a/(a - 5)]\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3a - a(a - 5) = 2a(a + 3) {cancelled and multiplied what's left}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3a - aČ + 5a = 2aČ + 6a {used distributive property}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-aČ + 8a = 2aČ + 6a {combined like terms}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3aČ - 2a = 0 {added aČ and subtracted 8a from both sides}\<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a(3a - 2) = 0 {factored a out}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 0 or 3a - 2 = 0 {set each factor equal to 0}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 0 or 3a = 2 {added 2 to both sides in right equation}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 0 or a = 2/3 {divided both sides by 3 in right equation}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "For more help like this, ask the house:  <a  rel=nofollow HREF= \"http://www.algebrahouse.com/\" target = \"_blank\">www.algebrahouse.com</a> </SPAN>\n" );
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