These questions are pertaining to college algebra

Question

Solve:      x       -      1       =         2      

              x - 1       x + 1          x^2 - 1 

 

 

    1       -       2      = 3                                            

    4x            x

Answer 1

Your problem is the difference of two rational expressions on the left side, equated to one rational expression on the right side.

 

Multiply all three terms by (x-1)(x+1) in order to KILL THE DENOMINATORS.

Then you will have   x(x+1) - (1)(x-1) = 2 which is a quadratic that I hope you know how to solve.

 

Restriction: x may not be ±1 because the original equation would not work (div. by 0).