Vocabulary

 Rational Equation - an equation that contains one or

more rational expressions.
 When both sides of the equation are single rational
expressions, you can solve the equation by using the
cross products property.
 Extraneous Solutions – A solution of a transformed
equation that is not a solution of the original equation.
Example 1 Use the cross products property

6 x
Solve = . Check your solution.
x +4 2
6 x
= Write original equation.
x +4 2
12 = x2 + 4x Cross products property

0 = x2 + 4x – 12 Subtract 12 from each side.

0 = (x + 6) (x – 2) Factor polynomial.

x + 6 = 0 or x – 2 = 0 Zero-product property

x = – 6 or x = 2 Solve for x.
Example 1 Use the cross products property

ANSWER The solutions are – 6 and 2.

CHECK If x = – 6: If x = 2:
6 ? –6 6 ? 2
= =
–6 + 4 2 2 +4 2
–3 = –3 1= 1
Example 2 Multiply by the LCD

x 1 2
Solve + = . Check your solution.
x – 2 5 x – 2

Multiply each side of the equation by the LCD to

transform the rational equation into a polynomial equation.

x 1 2 Write
+ =
x – 2 5 x – 2 original
equation.
x 1 2 Multiply
• 5 (x – 2 ) + • 5 (x – 2 ) = • 5 (x – 2 )
x – 2 5 x – 2 by LCD,
5 ( x – 2).
Example 2 Multiply by the LCD

x • 5 (x – 2 ) 5 (x – 2 ) 2 • 5 (x – 2 ) Multiply, then divide out

+ =
x – 2 5 x – 2 common factors.

5x + x – 2 = 10 Simplify.

6x – 2 = 10 Combine like terms.

x = 2 Solve for x.

x
The solution appears to be 2, but the expressions x – 2
2
and x – 2
are undefined when x =2. So, 2 is an
extraneous solution.

ANSWER The rational equation has no solution.

Example 3 Factor to find the LCD

3 8
Solve + 1 = . Check your solution.
x – 7 x2 – 9x + 14

Write each denominator in factored form. The LCD is

( x – 2 ) ( x – 7 ).

3 8
+ 1 =
x – 7 (x – 2 ) (x – 7 )

3
• (x – 2 ) (x – 7 ) + 1 • (x – 2 ) (x – 7 )
x – 7
8
= • (x – 2 ) (x – 7 )
(x – 2 ) (x – 7 )