SOLVING FRACTION EQUATIONS

To solve rational equations, first we have to make the denominators same. If the denominators are not same, take the least common multiple and make them same.

Example :

4x + 711 = 5 - x2

Solution :

Find the least common multiple of the denominator 11 and 2.

LCM of (11, 2) = 22

Multiply each side of the fraction by 22.

22[(4x+7)/11] = 22[(5-x)/2]

Use distributive property.

2(4x + 7) = 11(5 - x)

8x + 14 = 55 - 11x

8x + 11x = 55 - 14

19x = 41

x = 41/19

Solve for x:

Problem 1 :

x2 = 37

Solution :

Find the least common multiple of the denominator 2 and 7.

LCM of (2, 7) = 14

Multiply each side of the fraction by 14.

14(x/2) = 14(3/7)

7x = 6

x = 6/7

So, the value of x is 6/7.

Problem 2 :

3/5 = x/6

Solution :

Find the least common multiple of the denominator 5 and 6.

LCM of (5, 6) = 30

Multiply each side of the fraction by 30.

30(3/5) = 30(x/6)

18 = 5x

5x = 18

x = 18/5

So, the value of x is 18/5.

Problem 3 :

x5 = x -23

Solution :

Find the least common multiple of the denominator 5 and 3.

LCM of (5, 3) = 15

Multiply each side of the fraction by 15.

15(x/5) = 15[(x-2)/3]

3x = 5(x - 2)

3x = 5x - 10

3x - 5x = -10

-2x = -10

x = 5

So, the value of x is 5.

Problem 4 :

x + 13 = 2x -18

Solution :

Find the least common multiple of the denominator 3 and 8.

LCM of (3, 8) = 24

Multiply each side of the fraction by 24.

24 [(x+1)/3] = 24 [(2x-1)/8]

Use distributive property.

8x + 8 = 6x – 3

Subtract 6x from each side.

2x + 8 = -3

2x = -3 - 8

2x = -11

x = -11/2

So, the value of x is -11/2.

Problem 5 :

2x3 = 5-x4

Solution :

Find the least common multiple of the denominator 3 and 4.

LCM of (3, 4) = 12

Multiply each side of the fraction by 12.

12(2x/3) = 12[(5-x) /4]

Use distributive property.

8x = 3(5 - x)

8x = 15 – 3x

8x + 3x = 15

11x = 15

x = 15/11

So, the value of x is 15/11.

Problem 6 :

3x+23 = 2x- 52

Solution :

Find the least common multiple of the denominator 3 and 2.

LCM of (3, 2) = 6

Multiply each side of the fraction by 6.

6[(3x+2)/3] = 6[(2x-5)/2]

Use distributive property.

2(3x + 2) = 3(2x - 5)

6x + 4 = 6x - 15

6x - 6x = -15 - 4

 -19

There is no solution.

Problem 7 :

2x - 13 = 4 - x12

Solution : 

Find the least common multiple of the denominator 3 and 12.

LCM of (3, 12) = 12

Multiply each side of the fraction by 12.

12[(2x-1)/3] = 12[(4-x)/12]

Use distributive property.

4(2x - 1) = 4 - x

8x – 4 = 4 – x

8x + x = 4 + 4

9x = 8

x = 8/9

Problem 8 :

3x + 76 = 4x - 1-2

Solution :

Find the least common multiple of the denominator 6 and 2.

LCM of (6, 2) = 6

Multiply each side of the fraction by 6.

6[(3x+7)/6] = 6[(4x-1)/(-2)]

Use distributive property.

3x + 7 = -3(4x - 1)

3x + 7 = -12x + 3

3x + 12x = 3 - 7

15x = - 4

x = - 4/15

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