Inactive Tutor answered 09/09/13
John S.
asked 04/18/13solve a/a+5=3/a+1
solving rational expressions
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Tutor
New to Wyzant
Cross multiply to get:
a(a+1) = 3(a+5), expand
a2 + a = 3a + 15, set equal to 0
a2 - 2a - 15 = 0, factor
(a - 5) (a + 3) = 0, set each term to 0
(a - 5) = 0 and (a + 3) = 0, solving for each
a = 5 or a = -3
John, given a/(a+5)=3/(a+1) get rid of the fractions by multiplying both sides by (a+5)(a+1)
which gives a2 - 2a - 15=0 this factors into (a-5)(a+3) so the roots are a=5,-3
Regards
Jim
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