SOLUTION: Please help me solve this problem. The sum of a number and thrice its reciprocal is four. Find each number and it's reciprocal. (my book says thrice, that's not me)

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve this problem. The sum of a number and thrice its reciprocal is four. Find each number and it's reciprocal. (my book says thrice, that's not me)       Log On


   

Question 766650: Please help me solve this problem.
The sum of a number and thrice its reciprocal is four. Find each number and it's reciprocal.
(my book says thrice, that's not me)
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
thrice is 3 times
Let the number = +n+
given:
+n+%2B+3%2A%28+1%2Fn+%29+=+4+
Multiply both sides by +n+
+n%5E2+%2B+3+=+4n+
+n%5E2+-+4n+%2B+3+=+0+
+%28+n+-+3+%29%2A%28+n+-+1+%29+ ( just by looking at it )
+n+=+3+
+n+=+1+
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Check to see if both answers work:
+n+=+3+
+n+%2B+3%2A%28+1%2Fn+%29+=+4+
+3%2B+3%2A%28+1%2F3+%29+=+4+
+3+%2B+1+=+4+
OK
+n+=+3+
+1%2Fn+=+1%2F3+
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+n+=+1+
+n+%2B+3%2A%28+1%2Fn+%29+=+4+
+1%2B+3%2A%28+1%2F1+%29+=+4+
+1+%2B+3+=+4+
+n+=+1+
+1%2Fn+=+1+
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Both solutions work