document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=580754>Question 580754</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I am helping my son  with SAT test taking skills. I have done what I can to look at the problem but I do not understand a part of it either!\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The problem reads:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The equation x / x+2 + 3x+2 / x^2 + 2x = 3 / x has how many integer solutions?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The solutions says:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Find LCD = (x)(x+2). Multiply so all terms have common denominator.... [no problem there]. Eliminate denominators [again no problem] and solve for x,\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2 + 3x + 2 = 3x +2 [call this A], and x^2 -4 =0 [call this B], and (x+2)(x-2)=0 [call this C]. [and then it goes on]\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The problem is getting from the A to B. Once to B there is no problem with factoring.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "He understands--as do I--how to factor from B to C--but how did the solution go from A to B? the x^2-4=0 just seems so odd. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #371352 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=371352\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The equation x / x+2 + 3x+2 / x^2 + 2x = 3 / x has how many integer solutions? <BR>\n" );
document.write( "The solutions says: <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Find LCM = (x)(x+2). <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x/(x+2) + (3x+2)/(x(x+2)) = 3/x<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply thru by the LCM<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2 + 3x+2 = 3(x+2)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2 + 3x + 2 = 3x + 6<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2 -4 = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x-2)(x+2) = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Possible solution: x = 2 or x = -2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "But x  cannot be -2 as that would make the denominator<BR>\n" );
document.write( "of the original problem be zero.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Only solution: x = 2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
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