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)|)))#