How do I use the quadratic formula to solve 1/(x+1) - 1/x = 1/21x+11x=12?

1 Answer
Apr 7, 2018

color(green)(x_+ = (-1 + isqrt7)/2, " " x_- = (-1 - isqrt7)/2x+=1+i72, x=1i72

Explanation:

(1/(x+1)) - 1/x = 1/2(1x+1)1x=12

(x - x - 1) / (x * (x+1)) = 1/2, " taking L C M for L H S"xx1x(x+1)=12, taking L C M for L H S

-1 * 2 = x * (x + 1), " cross multiplying"12=x(x+1), cross multiplying

x^2 + x = - 2x2+x=2

x^2 + x + 2 = 0x2+x+2=0

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"Applying the above formula with " Applying the above formula with a = 1, b = 1, c = 2 " for finding the roots" for finding the roots,

x_+ = (-1 + (sqrt(1-8))) / 2 = (-1 + isqrt7)/2x+=1+(18)2=1+i72

x_- = (-1 - (sqrt(1-8))) / 2 = (-1 - isqrt7)/2x=1(18)2=1i72