MTH 100
Solving Rational Equations
Important!
• Equations require solutions (if they exist). So
don’t stop until you have found them (or
found that they don’t exist).
How To Solve
1.
2.
3.
4.
Eliminate the “bad” numbers.
Can we/should we cross multiply?
Find the LCD of both sides.
Multiply each term by the LCD. All
denominators should cancel.
5. Solve what’s left.
6. Check solution(s) against the “bad” numbers.
Examples
16 x  3 1


5x
x
8
b
1
50

 2
b  5 b  5 b  25
More Examples
2x  7 6x 1  6x  7x  8


2
2
x 1 x 1
x 1
2
x 7 x5

x4 x6
Still More Examples
x
x2

3x  2 3x  2
6
3

2
2
y  36 y  6 y