How do you solve the rational equation #a/(a+5) = 3/(a+1)#?
2 Answers
May 29, 2018
Explanation:
cross multiply:
May 29, 2018
Explanation:
#"multiply through by "(a+5)(a+1)#
#cancel((a+5))(a+1)xxa/cancel(a+5)=(a+5)cancel((a+1))xx3/cancel(a+1)#
#a(a+1)=3(a+5)larrcolor(blue)"distribute"#
#a^2+a=3a+15#
#"rearrange in "color(blue)"standard form ";ax^2+bx+c=0#
#"subtract "3a+15" from both sides"#
#a^2-2a-15=0#
#"the factors of - 15 which sum to - 2 are - 5 and + 3"#
#(a-5)(a+3)=0#
#"equate each factor to zero and solve for a"#
#a+3=0rArra=-3#
#a-5=0rArra=5#