Right…this is for a homework assignment, but I’m so stuck, I just want a hand. Dont want someone to do it for me.
We’ve just done algebraic fractions a few weeks ago, but now there’s an assessment question on it that I just can’t seem to figure out. Can someone at least tell me if my methods are OK?
I tried looking back through my notes for a similar example but I dont have one. Which is silly.
Every time I go about solving this, I either end up with a quadratic with no roots, or cubic, and we’re not supposed to be able to solve those unless they have really obvious factors of x.
Can I get the reciprocals of both sides, swapping the top and bottom lines? Then multiply by the denominators to get a nice equation.
Also, (x[sup]2[/sup] - 4) is (x-2)(x+2), isn’t it? Is there any benefit in substituting that into the equation?
OK…so I dont want anyone to do this for me, I just want to be able to understand how to do it. Moreover, if I think how to do it is correct. Cause if it is, then there’s just a more simple problem in my working somewhere.
What are you studying right now? What concepts (I know Algebraric Fractions, but more specifically). For example, you’re right (x^2-4)=(x-2)(x+2), it’s called “difference of squares”
I’m doing A-Level maths (UK), and we’re just switched syllabus, so we’re re-learning the pure maths side of the A-Level 'cause it’s ‘easier’ this way. There use to be three modules, but now they’ve split it into four. So I’ve just got to sit exams in maths I was studying a year ago. Gotta get some practise in!
The difference of two squares is something that I always fail to notice in equations, which means I can get stuck going down some long path of pointless algebra instead of factorising like that. I’m better at noticing and completing the square now though, used to be crap at that!
We’ve just finished functions, the minor trig ratios, and deriving the addition and double angle formulae. Actually really enjoying the course now, which is odd. I guess because I’m doing fewer other subjects, I’m concentrating on this one more and actually understanding it. And liking it. Which makes me more of a geek, I believe!
I took another go at it after I posted, and did the difference of two squares bit. That let me take the (x+2) over to the other side, and then multiply through by 5 and (x-2). Gave me a quadratic, which means home and dry with these!
Which I think is the same thing as writing the second term over (x[sup]2[/sup] - 4), just more long-winded. Well, it’s kinda the same.
Thanks for the help everyone! But why is it that soon as I ask for help I manage the question? Guess it’s having to think about what I’m going to ask for lets me think of what I need.
Hmm…I can see that it doesn’t work that way, but isn’t flipping both sides over just putting both sides of the equation to the power [sup]-1[/sup], which i though was OK.
Can’t spend a bunch of time here but…
The denominator of the first arguement (x+2)(x-2) is the clue. If you multiple the second arguement by 1 …In this case (x-2)/(x-2) … then each arguement has a common denominator.
Then you can combine the left side of the equation and solve…I think, now that I am replying I can’t se the original equation and I have a short attention span.