This week in Pre Calculus 11 we learned how to solve rational equations. A rational equation is an equation containing a fraction, whose numerator or denominator consist of a polynomial. While learning the lesson in class we discovered that there are multiple ways to solve these equations. My preferred methods are multiplying by a common denominator or using cross multiplication; remember you can only cross multiply if 2 fractions are equivalent to each other (=). I will show one example each for both different methods.
Cross Multiplication: Cross multiply, factor if needed, determine “x” value
Multiplying by a common denominator: find a common denominator, foil, combine like terms, solve x using either factoring (quadratic) or algebraically (linear)
*Note: when multiplying by your common denominator, if both of your fractions already contain one value in your common denominator you do not need to multiply the numerator by that value
