Asked by Alex

Solve and check. ( 3 marks)

5/(x-1) + 2/(x+1)=-6

Here's my work on it:
5/(x-1)+2/(x+1)=?
5/(-3/2-1)+2/(-3/2+1)=-6

Can you show how I would have found x in this situation and also if I went wrong anywhere.


Answered by Damon
[5(x+1) +2(x-1)]/(x^2-1) = -6

5x+5 +2x-2 = -6x^2 + 6

6 x^2 + 7 x - 3 = 0

(2x+3)(3x-1) = 0

x = 1/3 or -3/2
Answered by Reiny
The first thing I would do is get rid of the fractions
The LCD is (x-1)(x+1) so let's multiply each term by that ...

5(x+1) + 2(x-1) = -6(x+1)(x-1)
5x + 5 + 2x - 2 = -6x^2 + 6
6x^2 + 7x - 3 = 0
(3x - 1)(2x + 3) = 0
x = 1/3 or x = -3/2

I won't even attempt to figure out what you were trying to do in your last line.
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