SOLUTION: Find the real solutions of the equation.
2x^(-2) - 3x^(-1) - 4 = 0
I then decided to rewrite the original equation this way:
(2/x^2) - (3/x) - 4 = 0
Stuck here
Be aware: the solution and the answer by @Theo are incorrect.
One can see it even with unarmed eye. Indeed, in Theo's equation
2k^2 - 3k - 4 = 0
the leading coefficient " 2 " is positive, while the constant term " -4 " is negative.
It implies that the roots of this equation must be with opposite signs;
while Theo gives both roots positive at the end of his solution, which is wrong.
You can jump right in with the quadratic equation,
solving for x-1, the reciprocal:
Take reciprocals of both sides:
Then rationalize the denominator:
Using the +
Using the -, similarly
Edwin