Asked by Kim

4/3-x+1/x+9=5/3-x
Answered by Reiny
check my response to the same question

http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1247009457

Answered by Kim
Is it -3 or -3/26? I ran this problem through 2 calculators online and they both came up with -3/26? Can you explain why its only -3? Thanks
Answered by Reiny
I haven't got a clue how both you and Crystal came up with -3/26

Both Marth and I gave you the way to solve this question, assuming that you meant

4/(3-x) + 1/(x+9) = 5/(3-x)

Answered by Reiny
Ok, you solved it the way it stands, as

(4/3) - x + (1/x) + 9 = (5/3) - x

yes, that would be x = -3/26

check your text, is that the way it is actually typed ??

This discussion only illustrates how important it is to correctly establish the order of operation with brackets.
Answered by Kim
It is typed as follows:

4 1 5
--- + --- = ---
3-x x+9 3-x

So is the answer -3/26 or just -3?
Answered by Kim
That got all messed up. 4 is on top of the 3-x, 1 is over x+9, and 5 is over 3-x respectively So is the answer still -3 or -3/26? Thank you!
Answered by Reiny
just as I thought !!!

obviously x=-3

Why don't you go back to the post I linked to
There you will see a proper solution and verification of the answer of x = -3
Answered by Kim
What did i do wrong? I am confused to the fact that -3 is the answer and not -3/26?
Answered by Reiny
Are you not familiar with the proper order of operation ?

you did not follow the correct order.

BEDMAS

B - brackets first
E - exponents
D
M - division/multiplication in the order they occur.
A
S - addition/subtraction in the order they occur

I repeat...
take a look at how to properly solve it in the linked post by both me and Marth

Answered by DrBob222
I can't stay out of this but it isn't any of my business. The problem is that most students on this or any other help board do NOT use parentheses to show how a problem is to be set up. 4 over 3-x should be written in line fashion as 4/(3-x). It makes a HUGE difference. With the parentheses I know it is 4 over 3-x but without the parentheses (written as 4/3-x we don't know (and the calculator you plugged it into doesn't know) if it is (4/3)-x or if it is 4/(3-x). The order of operations that Reiny refers to is the 4/3 will be done FIRST, then x will be subtracted because multiplication and division take precedence over addition and subtraction. So the calculator you plugged into did it the proper way according to the order of operations. Go to your calculator and plug it in as 4/(3-x) etc etc and I expect you will not get -3/26 but -3.
Answered by Kim
There are no brackets, parenthases, exponents, in this problem. Would this make a difference?
Answered by DrBob222
No brackets or parentheses because they are not needed. The problem is written as 4 over x-3 etc etc so we know it is 4 divided by x-3. HOWEVER, when we write it out in ONE LINE, we must tell the calculator what to do OTHERWISE, the calculator will interpret 4/3-x as (4/3)-x and that isn't the way you want it interpreted. So you add the parentheses like so, 4/(3-x) to make the computer do the parentheses first. To all the mathematicians, I hope I haven't taken a bit of license in this explanation.
Answered by Kim
So when we do this the answer will be
-3 then? and NOT -3/26? Am i understanding this correctly? Thanks for your help!
Answered by DrBob222
I strongly suggest that you follow Reiny's suggestion, click on the link provided by he and Marth and see for yourself that this isn't black magic.
Answered by Reiny
THANK YOU, DrBob
Believe me, at this point your comments were well appreciated.