How to solve quadratic functions that contain fractions?

Question

What is the best way to solve a quadratic equation that contains fractions? An example is 1/2x - 2x = 3/2

Answer 1

Just Multiply both sides by LCM of the denominators of the fractions. It works for all equations.

Answer 2

What is the best way to solve a quadratic equation that contains fractions? An example is 1/2x^2 - 2x = 3/2.

 

I multiply both sides by a number that gets rid of the denominators of all the fractions. E.g.,

 

Multiply your example by 2 on both sides:

 

x^2 – 4x = 3

 

x^2 – 4x – 3 = 0

 

Using Quadratic Formula:

 

x = (4 ± √(16–4(1)(–3)))/(2(1))

 

x = 2 ± √(4–(1)(–3))

 

x = 2 ± √(7)