How do you solve the rational equation 40/(b-19)=-17/(b+1)?
1 Answer
Jun 28, 2016
Explanation:
Given,
40/(b-19)=-17/(b+1)
Multiply both sides by the product of the denominators which are on either side of the equation.
(b-19)(b+1)(40/(b-19))=(b-19)(b+1)(-17/(b+1))
The common factors which appear in the numerator and denominator cancel each other out.
(color(red)cancelcolor(black)(b-19))(b+1)(40/(color(red)cancelcolor(black)(b-19)))=(b-19)(color(red)cancelcolor(black)(b+1))(-17/(color(red)cancelcolor(black)(b+1)))
40(b+1)=-17(b-19)
Expand.
40b+40=-17b+323
Bring all terms with
40b+17b=323-40
Simplifying,
57b=283
b=color(green)(|bar(ul(color(white)(a/a)color(black)(283/57)color(white)(a/a)|)))