RAFFLES INSTITUTION

RAFFLES PROGRAMME 2022

Year One Mathematics
Topic 6: Algebraic Equations I
Worksheet 2 – Algebraic Fractional Equations

Name: ( ) Class: 1( ) Date:

think! Mathematics Secondary Textbook 1A (8th Edition) Chapter 5, Pages 129-132

LEARNER OUTCOMES
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to
• Solve fractional equations that can be reduced to linear equations

A. Solving Algebraic Fractional Equation by Taking Common Denominator

In the last topic of ‘algebraic fractions’, we learnt how to simplify algebraic fractions such as
2 x − 1 3 − 4 x 2(2 x − 1) 3(3 − 4 x)
− = −
6 4 12 12
4 x − 2 − 9 + 12 x
=
12
16 x − 11
=
12
2x −1 3 − 4x
What if you are now given an equation − = 3?
6 4 16 x − 11
Since earlier on, you have simplified the algebraic expression to , we can also say
12
16 x − 11
that = 3.
12

By logical reasoning, if a number after divided by 12 is 3, the number must be 36. Hence,
16 x − 11 =36 . By using the method learnt in worksheet 1, you will arrive at the solution
47 15
x= , which can also be written as x = 2 .
16 16

In this worksheet, we are going to build on the concepts learnt previously to learn how to
solve equations involving algebraic fractions.

Page 1 of 9
Example 1
Solve each of the following equations.
2x −1 3 − 4x
(a) − =−2
6 4

Method 1: Add up the algebraic fractions before solving the equation

Method 2: Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCM of the denominators

The common denominator is the LCM of 6 and 4 is __________.

Multiply the LCM to both sides of the equation:

Page 2 of 9
 3x − 5 1 − 2 x
(b) =
4 3

7 3 x
(c) + = What is the LCM of 2x – 1 and 4x – 2?
2x −1 1− 2x 4x − 2

a − b =− ( b − a )

5  3n + 2  36 (1 + 2n )
(d) 8 − +7 =
4 25  5

Page 3 of 9
Example 2
3x
If 4 x + y = 3 x + 5 y , find the value of .
16 y

Example 3

3 7
(a) − 0
=
2 + 3 y 4 y −1

Page 4 of 9
 3 1
(b) − 25
=
x −1 2 − 2x

2x − 3
−2
4 1
(c) =3
x 2

Page 5 of 9
B. Error Analysis (“Be The Teacher”)

Identify the error(s) by circling where they first occur and write down the amended solution
in the adjacent column. The use of a calculator is not allowed.

5 x − 2 3x − 4 8 x − 1
Question 1: Solve the equation − =.
2 3 6

Proposed Solution Amended Solution

5 x − 2 3x − 4 8 x − 1
− =
2 3 6
2(5 x − 2) − 3(3 x − 4) = 8 x − 1
10 x − 4 − 9 x − 12 = 8 x − 1
−16 + 1 = 8 x − x
−15 = 7x
15
x= −
7
1
x = −2
7

2( x − 3) 2 x + 1
Question 2: Solve the equation − −3
=
3 9

Proposed Solution Amended Solution

2( x − 3) 2 x + 1
− = −3
3 9
18 x − 54 6 x + 3
− = −3
27 27
18 x − 54 − 6 x − 3
= −3
27
12 x − 57 = −3
12 x = 54
54
x=
12
1
x=4
2

Page 6 of 9
C. Homework

Level 1 (Self-Practice)

1. Solve the following equations.

x x −3
(a) − = 10
5 6
2p −5 3( p + 2)
(b) = 4p −
5 4
8 2
(c) 2
+ =0
x −9 x −3
3 x − 1 1 3 ( 2 x + 1)
(d) − =
4 x 8
3m 5 3
(e) − = −
2m − 2 m − 1 4

10 3 5
[Ans: (a) x = 285 (b) p = (c) x = −7 (d) x = −1 (e) m = 2 ]
57 5 9

Level 2 (Core)

1. Solve the following equations.

1 3 1 1
(a) ( 2 x + 3) − ( 4 − x )= ( x + 1) −
4 5 4 5

1 − 3m 3 − 2m
(b) − −1
=
5 3

Page 7 of 9
 5x −1 2 ( 4 − 2x)
(c) +2− =−6 x
6 3

2 7
(d) − 3
=
2x + 3 6 + 4x

10 4x 4
(e) + =
1− x 2x − 2 9

5 3
[Ans: (a) x = 2 (b) m = −3 (c) x = (d) x = −1 (e) x = 7 ]
49 4

Page 8 of 9
 4 y + 9x 7 y
2. If = , find the value of .
5x − y 3 x
y 8
[Ans: = ]
x 19

Level 3 (Challenge Yourself)

1 1 1
1. Given that + g 3, find the value of e 2 + f 2 + g 2 .
= 0 and e + f =
+ +
e f g
[Ans: 9]

1 1 2
2. Solve the equation 2
+ 2 − 2 0.
=
x − 10 x − 29 x − 10 x − 45 x − 10 x − 69
[Ans: x = -3 or 13]

Page 9 of 9