How To Solve Fractional Equations

5.
5 Solving Fractional Equations

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To solve an equation with fractions
Procedure: To solve a fractional equation
Step 3. Determine LCM of denominators.
Step 4. Multiply all terms by LCD (clearing denominators).
Step 5. Solve equation as in previous lessons.
Step 2. Determine any restrictions for the fractional equation.
Step 6. Compare answer to restriction. If answer is the restricted value, write
no solution. If not, go on to the next Step.
Step 1. Factor all denominators.
Step 7. Check
5.5 Solving Fractional Equations
2a 1 a 1
Solv Examp e
9
le 1
6 6
.
9
= +
Solution:
1. Find the LCD
LCD=18
2. Multiply all fractions by the LCD.
2a 1 a 1
9 6
(18) (18) (18) (18)
9 6
= +
3. Cancel the denominators.
2
2
3
3
4. Simplify and solve.
4a 3 2a 3 = +
2a 6 =
Answer: a 3 =
5. Check.
2(3) 1 3 1
9 6 9 6
= +
12 3
18 18
6 3
18 18
+
9 9
18 18
=

3 1
9 6
+
6 1
9 6
Your Turn Problem #1

x 5 1 x 2 1
Solve and Check:
9 3 4 4
+
=
Answer: x = 7
Rational Expressions have restrictions. Restrictions are values for the variable which
would make the fraction undefined.
x 5
3 3 2x
, Examples: ,
x 5 4x
x 0 =
+
=
+
In this section, we will have fractions where the denominator may contain the variable.
If the denominator contains a variable, the equation is said to have restrictions.
Procedure: To solve a fractional equation (for current section)
Step 2. Determine LCM of denominators (LCD).
Step 3. Multiply all terms by LCD (clearing denominators).
Step 4. Solve equation as in previous lessons.
Step 1. Determine any restrictions for the fractional equation.
Step 5. Compare answer to restriction. If answer is the restricted value, write no solution.
If not, go on to the next Step.
Step 6. Check all answers which are not restrictions.
9 1 5
Solve
4x
Examp
3
le 2.
2x
+ =
Solution:
1. State restrictions
LCD=12x
2. Find LCD.
(12x) (12x) (
9 1 5
4x 3
)
2x
12x
+ =
3. Multiply all terms by LCD.
3
6
4
27 4x 30 + =
5. Answer not equal to restriction.
x 0 =
6. Check.
9 1 5
3 3 3
4 2
4 4
+ =
| | | |
| |
\ . \ .
9 1 5
3
3 3
2
+ =
10 10
3 3
=

4x 3 =
3
Answer: x
4
=
5 3 7
Solve and Check:
4x 2 5x
+ =
1
Answer:
10
1 10
Solve and Check x Example 3
x 3
. + =
Solution:
LCD=3x
2. Find LCD.
(3x) (3x
1 10
x
x 3
) (3x)
+ =
2
3x 3 10x + =
2
3x 10x 3 0 + =
(3x 1)(x 3) 0 =
x 0 =
3x 1 0 or x 3 0 = =
6. Check: (Not Shown)
1
Answer: x , 3
3
=
1 37
Solve and Check: x
x 6
+ =
1
Answer: , 6
6

`
)
3 2
Solve Exa
x
m
1 x 5
ple 4. =
+
Solution:
2. Find LCD.
3x 15 2x 2 + =
x 5, 1 =
LCD (x 1)(x 5) = +
3 2
x
(x 1)(x 5) (x 1)(x
1 x 5
5)
=

+
+ +
6. Check (not shown).
Answer: x 17 =
2 4
Solve and Check:
2x 1 x 2
=
+
4
Answer: x
3
=
This example was solved by multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD. Cross
multiplication is another method for solving fractional equations where there is only one
fraction on each side.
( )
a c
If , b 0, d 0 , then ad=bc.
b d
= = =
3 2
x 1 x 5
=
+
Using the Cross-multiplication property:
3(x 5) 2(x 1) + =
3x 15 2x 2 + =
x 17 =
Next Slide
x 8
Solve 1
x
Example
1
5
2
.
x
+ =

Solution:
2. Find LCD.
2 2
x x 1(x 3x 2) 8x 16 + + =
x 1, 2 =
LCD (x 2)(x 1) =
(x 2)(x 1) (x 2)(x 1) (x 2)(
x 8
x 1)
1
x 2 x 1
+ =

6. Check.
3 8
1
3 2 3 1
+ =

4 4 =
3 8
1
1 2
+ =
2
2x 4x 2 8x 16 + =
Answer: x 3 =
2
2x 12x 18 0 + =
2
2(x 6x 9) 0 + =
2(x 3)(x 3) 0 =
x 1 2
Solve and Check:
x 1 2 x 2
+ =
+ +
2
Answer: , 3
3

`
)
Proportion Application Problems
To recognize a problem is a proportion problem, a sentence will be given which can be written
as a fraction.
Examples: 3 out of 20 smoke;
4 panels generate 1500 watts;
4
1500
3
20
Procedure: To solve a proportion problem
2. Find the recognizable ratio and write it as a fraction.
1. Define the variable (what you are looking for?)
3. After the fraction is written write an equal sign. Then write a fraction using the
remaining information with the defined variable. Make sure the fraction is written so
both of the numerators have the same units and the denominators have the same units.
Examples: lbs lbs
$ $
=
watts watts
panels panels
=
,
4. Solve and answer the question.
Example 6. A chef estimates that 50 lbs of vegetables will serve 130 people. Using this
estimate, how many pounds will be necessary to serve 156 people?

Solution:
Let x = number of pounds of vegetables for 156 people.
lbs lbs
people people
| |
=
|
\ .
Make units match:
50 lbs x
130 people 156 people
=
Equation:
Solve by cross multiplying: 130x (50)(156) =
130x 7800 =
x 60 =
Answer: 60 lbs of vegetables are needed
A carpenter estimates that he uses 8 studs for every 10 linear
feet of framed walls. At this same rate, how many studs are
needed for a garage with 35 linear feet of framed walls?
Answer: 28 studs are needed
Let x = federal income tax on $125,000
12,500 taxes x taxes
50, 000 income 125, 000 income
=
taxes taxes
income income
| |
=
|
\ .
Make units match:
Reduce, then solve by
cross multiplying:
4x 125, 000 =
x 31, 250 =
Answer: The federal income tax will be $31,250.
1
4
Example 7: The federal income tax on $50,000 of income is $12,500. At this rate, what is
the federal income tax on $125,000 of income?
Solution:
If a home valued at $120,000 is assessed $2160 in real estate taxes, then
how much, at the same rate, are the taxes on a home valued at $200,000?
Answer: The property would be $3600.
Example 8. A sum of $1400 is to be divided between two people in the ratio of 3 to 5.
How much does each person receive?
x 3
1400 x 5
=
1st person receives

ratio given
2nd person recieves
| |
=
|
\ .
Solve by cross multiplying: 5x 3(1400 x) =
5x 4, 200 3x =
The first person will receives $525,
Answer:
and the second person will receive $875.
Solution: Let x = amount first person receives
Let 1400 x = amount second person receives
x 525 =
525 = amount for first person.
To find amount for second person, 1400 525 = 875.
A sum of $5000 is to be divided between two people in the ratio of 3
to 7. How much does each person receive?
Answer: The first person receives $1500 and the second person receives $3500.
+
=
+
2 2
4 x 1
Solve and Example Check
x 9 x
9.
3x
3. Find LCD.
4. Multiply all terms by LCM.
2
4x x 2x 3 =
x 1 or x 3 = =
6. Since x can not equal 3,
cross it out as a solution.
x 3, 0, 3 =
1. Factor Denominators
4 x 1
(x 3)(x 3) x(x 3)
+
=
+ +
LCD x(x 3)(x 3) = +
x(x 3)(x 3) + x(x 3)(x 3) + ( )
2
0 x 2x 3 = +
0 (x 1)(x 3) = +
7. Check x = 1 (not shown).
Answer: x 1 =
2 2
2 x 3
Solve and Check:
x 16 x 4x
+
=
+
Answer: x 3 =
=
+ +
2
x 2 63
Solve Example 10.
x 4 x 8 x 4x 32
Solution:
3. Find LCD.
2
x 8x 2x 8 63 + + =
6. Answers not equal to restrictions.
x 8, 4 =
1. Factor Denominators
x 2 63

x 4 x 8 (x 8)(x 4)
=
+ +
LCD (x 4)(x 8) = +
2
x 6x 55 0 + =
(x 11)(x 5) 0 + =
7. Check both 11 and 5 (not shown).
{ }
Answer: 11,5
(x 4)(x 8) +
(x 4)(x 8) +
(x 4)(x 8) +
2
5y 4 2 5
Solve and Check:
2y 3 3y 4 6y y 12
=
+ +
Answer: y 1 =
Example: If a carpenter can build a shed in 8 hours, then his

rate of work is of the task completed per hour.
1
8
Also, if this carpenter works for 5 hours, then his part of task completed is
1 5
tasks per hour 5 hours of a task completed.
8 8
=
Work problems are common in algebra because of the use of the rate concept as well as
their application to real-life situations.
Work Problems
Rate of work: The portion of a task completed per one unit of time.
Important: In Work Problems, the time it takes a person (or machine) to do a task is the
reciprocal of his/her rate!
Basic Work Formula: (Rate of work) (Time Worked) = (Part of Task completed)
In most work problems, there will always be two individuals or devices who will
contribute to the completion of the task.
The formula for work problems will be to add the part of task completed for each
individual or device and set it equal to 1 (for 1 completed job).
part of task
completed
(individual #1)
+
part of task
completed
(individual #2)
=
1
Next Slide
Procedure: To Solve Work Problems
Step 1. Write down the let statements (what you are looking for) and any information
given in the problem.
Step 2. Create a chart with columns Rate of work, Time worked, and Part of task
completed.
Step 3. To find rate of work, make a fraction with a numerator equal to 1; and a
denominator equal to the time it would have taken the individual or device to
complete the task alone.
Step 4. To find time worked, write in the actual time the individual or device worked or
will work on the task.
Step 5. To find Part of task completed, use the formula:
(rate of work) (time worked) = (part of task completed)
Step 6. To write equation, add the part of task completed and set equal to 1.
Step 7. Solve and answer question.
Next Slide
Example 11. A carpenter can build a shed working alone in 5 hours. His assistant working alone
would take 10 hours to build a similar shed. If the two work together, how long will
it take them to build the shed?
x x
1
5 10
+ =
Let x = time to build shed together
Carpenter: 5hrs., Assistant: 10 hrs.
1. Define variable (Let statements)
2. Create chart.
x
5
x
10
x
x
2x x 10 + =
assistant
carpenter
Rate of
work
Time
worked
Part of Task
completed
=
3. Write in rate of work for each.
1
5
1
10
4. Write in time worked for each.
5. Write in part of task completed
by multiplying rate time.
6. Obtain equation by adding the
column and setting it equal to 1.
7. Solve and answer question.
1
x 3
3
=
1
Answer: It will take the carpenter and the assistant 3 hours.
3
Maria can do a certain job in 50 minutes, whereas it takes Kristin 75
minutes to do the same job. How long would it take then to do the
job together?
Answer: It would take them 30 minutes to do the job together.
(Multiply all
terms by LCD)
The End.
B.R.
12-30-06

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5.

5 Solving Fractional Equations

Your Turn Problem #1

1st person receives

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