Question

the question is what is the solution of the equation x+2/2=4/x?
1) 1 and-8
2)2 and-4
3) -1 and9
4) -2 and4

I did x^2+2x+8
(x+4)(x+2)
-4 -2
This is not one of the choices
can you help me figure out where I went wrong.
Thanks for your help

Answer 1

I assume you meant

(x+2)/2 = 4/x

multiply each side by 2x , (sometimes called cross-multiplying)

x^2 + 2x = 8
x^2 + 2x - 8 = 0
(x+4)(x-2) = 0

x = -4 OR x = 2 , which is choice 2)

(if the way they presented the answer used the word AND, they they are technically incorrect.
x cannot be -4 AND 2 at the same time, but
x could be -4 OR 2.

btw, you lost your equal sign of the equation, that is where your error occurred.

Answer 2

thank you for your help