Solving Rational Equations

When solving:
• A quick way to solve a rational
equation is to multiply everything
through by the LCD.

• Beware of extraneous solutions!

 Example: Solve.
LCD: 2x
3 1 12
  Multiply each fraction
x 2 x
through by the LCD
2 3 x 1 2 12
    
2 x x 2 2 x

6 x 24
 
2x 2x 2x Check that your
6  x  24 solution does not
give a zero in the
x  18 denominator!
 5x 5
Solve.  4 LCD: ?
x 1 x 1 LCD: (x+1)

5x ( x  1) 5 ( x  1)
4  
x 1 ( x  1) ( x  1) ( x  1)
5x 4( x  1) 5
 
x  1 ( x  1) x  1
5x  4x 1
x  1

Check your solution!

No Solution!
 3x  2 6 3x  2 6
Solve.  2
x2 x 4
1 
x  2 ( x  2)( x  2)
1

Factor 1st! LCD: (x+2)(x-2)

(3 x  2) x  2 6 ( x  2)( x  2)
  1
( x  2) x  2 ( x  2)( x  2) ( x  2)( x  2)
(3 x  2)( x  2)  6  ( x  2)( x  2)
3x 2  6 x  2 x  4  6  x 2  4
2 2 x  3 or x  1
3x  4 x  4  2  x
2
2x  4x  6  0
Check your solutions!
2
2( x  2 x  3)  0
2( x  3)( x  1)  0 x  3  0 or x  1  0
 Short Cut!
When there is only fraction on each side
of the =, just cross multiply as if you
are solving a proportion.
Example: Solve.
3 1

x  4x x  4
2

x  4 x  3( x  4)
2

x  4 x  3 x  12
2

x  x  12  0
2

( x  4)( x  3)  0
x  4  0 or x  3  0
x  4 or x  3
Check your solutions!