solve a/a+5=3/a+1

Question

solving rational expressions

 

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

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