SOLUTION: (4/x-4)/(2+1/x) Kinda hard to write that one. it's (4 over x)-4 over 2 + (1 over x) make sense? 4/x -4 _______ 2+1/x thanks, mike

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: (4/x-4)/(2+1/x) Kinda hard to write that one. it's (4 over x)-4 over 2 + (1 over x) make sense? 4/x -4 _______ 2+1/x thanks, mike      Log On


   

Question 50677: (4/x-4)/(2+1/x)
Kinda hard to write that one. it's (4 over x)-4 over 2 + (1 over x)
make sense?
4/x -4
_______
2+1/x
thanks,
mike
Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It looks like a complex fraction:
+%28%284%2Fx%29-4%29%2F%282%2B%281%2Fx%29%29

There are two ways to solve this, and I don't know which way you would like best. I'll use what is called Method I in most textbooks. I call it the "unstacking method". By the way I have a TON of these done in my Math in Living Color page on my website, both under Intermediate and College Algebra. Let me know if you want to find these problems and need help finding the pages on my own website. I don't think I made this one a lesson plan for algebra.com yet. Hmmm.
+%284%2Fx%29-4 divided by 2%2B%281%2Fx%29

Get a single fraction by finding a LCD for each part of the problem:
%284%2Fx%29-%284%2F1%29+ divided by %282%2F1%29%2B+%281%2Fx%29
%284%2Fx%29-%284x%29%2Fx divided by %28%282x%29%2Fx%29%2B+1%2Fx
%284-4x%29%2Fx divided by +%282x%2B1%29%2Fx

Invert the second number and multiply:
%28%284-4x%29%2Fx%29%2A+%28x%2F%282x%2B1%29%29

The x factors divide out, and what is left is the final answer.
%284-4x%29%2F%282x%2B1%29+

Factoring does not reduce the fraction, so it should not be necessary:
%284%281-x%29%29%2F%282x%2B1%29+

R^2 at SCC

P.S. "Math in Living Color" on my website is really a better medium for ME to present this topic!!