College Algebra (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321979478
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-947-6

Chapter 1 - Section 1.2 - Quadratic Equations - 1.2 Assess Your Understanding - Page 102: 91

Answer

$\{5\}.$

Work Step by Step

The denominator on the RHS can be factored to $(x-2)(x+1)$. We must exclude $x=-1 $and $x=2$ from the solutions, as the equation would not be defined for these values. Multiply both sides with the LCD, $(x-2)(x+1)$ $x(x+1)+2(x-2)=7x+1$ Distribute and simplify (write in standard fom). $x^{2}+x+2x-4-7x-1=0$ $x^{2}-4x-5=0$ we can factor the LHS, as -5 and +1 are factors of -5, and their sum is -4. $(x-5)(x+1)=0$ By the zero product rule, x is either 5 or -1. BUT, we excluded -1 in the first step, so the solution set is $\{5\}.$
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