Question

How do you solve `4/(x^2-2x-3) = [-x/(x-3)] [-1/(x+1)]`?

Answer 1

`x=4`

Explanation:

Start by simplifying the right side:
`color(white)("XXX")(-x/(x-3))(-1/(x+1))=x/(x^2-2x-3`

So the given equation is equivalent to
`color(white)("XXX")4/(x^2-2x-3) = x/(x^2-2x-3)`

`rArrcolor(white)("XXX")x=4`

This, of course, assumes `x!=3` and `x!=-1`; otherwise the original equation is meaningless.