This week in chapter 7.5 we began solving Fractional Equations, when dealing with Fractional equations it’s important to remember that you must SOLVE as opposed to SIMPLIFYING, which is related to expressions as opposed to equations. This also means that after solving you should be left with a value that will be equal to x.

There are two types of Fractional equations, there are “simple” equations and there are “ugly” equations.

Solving Simple Equations:

When you are given two simple fractions you may CROSS MULTIPLY:  this is accomplished by multiplying each numerator by the opposite denominator this will get rid of the fraction and you will be left with a much simpler fraction-free equation, from there, you must isolate x.

 

Solving Ugly Equations:

when solving an “ugly equation, or an equation with either more than one fraction, or polynomial fractions etc… MULTIPLY BY THE DENOMINATOR: First determine the common denominator, then divide the common denominator by the original denominator from each fraction and then multiply the remainder by the numerator. Lastly, solve to isolate x (or any variables in the equation).

this method is suitable for any kind of Fractional equation (ie. it will always work).