document.write( "Question 78353: Homework example. Please help me understand and show me how to solve this complex fraction. Thanks!\r
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document.write( "3/x-2 + 21/x^2-4 = 14/x+2\r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #56194 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! I assume you mean; (a few brackets would help remove all doubt) \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Notice that (x^2 - 4) is the difference of squares, can be factored to: \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "If we multiply thru by (x-2)(x+2) we have: \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "3(x+2) + 21 = 14(x-2) \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Multiply what's inside the brackets and do some basic algebra: \n" ); document.write( "3x + 6 + 21 = 14x - 28 \n" ); document.write( "3x + 27 = 14x - 28 \n" ); document.write( "3x - 14x = -28 - 27 \n" ); document.write( "-11x = -55 \n" ); document.write( "x = -55/-11 \n" ); document.write( "x = +5 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Check our solution of x=5 for equality in the original equation: \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "How about this? Did you understand what went on here? \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |