SOLUTION: I am having a hard time even trying to set this problem up, I am sure once i see how to set it up I will be able to solve it. the sum of a number and 36 times its reciprocal is

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I am having a hard time even trying to set this problem up, I am sure once i see how to set it up I will be able to solve it. the sum of a number and 36 times its reciprocal is      Log On


   

Question 241256: I am having a hard time even trying to set this problem up, I am sure once i see how to set it up I will be able to solve it.
the sum of a number and 36 times its reciprocal is -13. Find the number.
Please any help would be appreciated,
thanks,
heather
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Remember the sum of two numbers is simply the result of adding them. So the sum of x and y is x%2By. In this particular problem, the first addend is the unknown number 'x' and the second addend is 36 times its reciprocal. In other words, the second number is 36%281%2Fx%29=36%2Fx


So add these two expressions to get: x%2B36%2Fx and set that equal to -13 to get x%2B36%2Fx=-13


I'll let you take it from here. All you need to do now is solve x%2B36%2Fx=-13 for 'x'.