Algebra Examples

$\frac{2 x^{2}}{x - 2} = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x}$

Step 1

Find the LCD of the terms in the equation.

Tap for more steps...

Step 1.1

Finding the LCD of a list of values is the same as finding the LCM of the denominators of those values.

$x - 2, 2 - x$

Step 1.2

The LCM is the smallest positive number that all of the numbers divide into evenly.

1. List the prime factors of each number.

2. Multiply each factor the greatest number of times it occurs in either number.

Step 1.3

The number $1$ is not a prime number because it only has one positive factor, which is itself.

Not prime

Step 1.4

The LCM of $1, 1$ is the result of multiplying all prime factors the greatest number of times they occur in either number.

$1$

Step 1.5

The factor for $x - 2$ is $x - 2$ itself.

$(x - 2) = x - 2$

$(x - 2)$ occurs $1$ time.

Step 1.6

The factor for $2 - x$ is $2 - x$ itself.

$(2 - x) = 2 - x$

$(2 - x)$ occurs $1$ time.

Step 1.7

The LCM of $x - 2, 2 - x$ is the result of multiplying all factors the greatest number of times they occur in either term.

$(x - 2) (2 - x)$

Step 2

Multiply each term in $\frac{2 x^{2}}{x - 2} = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x}$ by $(x - 2) (2 - x)$ to eliminate the fractions.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1

Multiply each term in $\frac{2 x^{2}}{x - 2} = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x}$ by $(x - 2) (2 - x)$ .

$\frac{2 x^{2}}{x - 2} ((x - 2) (2 - x)) = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2

Simplify the left side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.1

Simplify terms.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.1.1

Cancel the common factor of $x - 2$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.1.1.1

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{2 x^{2}}{x - 2} ((x - 2) (2 - x)) = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2.1.1.2

Rewrite the expression.

$2 x^{2} (2 - x) = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2.1.2

Apply the distributive property.

$2 x^{2} \cdot 2 + 2 x^{2} (- x) = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2.1.3

Simplify the expression.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.1.3.1

Multiply $2$ by $2$ .

$4 x^{2} + 2 x^{2} (- x) = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2.1.3.2

Rewrite using the commutative property of multiplication.

$4 x^{2} + 2 \cdot - 1 x^{2} x = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2.2

Simplify each term.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.1

Multiply $x^{2}$ by $x$ by adding the exponents.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.1.1

Move $x$ .

$4 x^{2} + 2 \cdot - 1 (x \cdot x^{2}) = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2.2.1.2

Multiply $x$ by $x^{2}$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.1.2.1

Raise $x$ to the power of $1$ .

$4 x^{2} + 2 \cdot - 1 (x^{1} x^{2}) = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2.2.1.2.2

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$4 x^{2} + 2 \cdot - 1 x^{1 + 2} = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2.2.1.3

Add $1$ and $2$ .

$4 x^{2} + 2 \cdot - 1 x^{3} = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.2.2.2

Multiply $2$ by $- 1$ .

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((x - 2) (2 - x))$

Step 2.3

Simplify the right side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.3.1

Cancel the common factor of $2 - x$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.3.1.1

Factor $2 - x$ out of $(x - 2) (2 - x)$ .

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((2 - x) (x - 2))$

Step 2.3.1.2

Cancel the common factor.

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x} ((2 - x) (x - 2))$

Step 2.3.1.3

Rewrite the expression.

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = (- 7 x + 6) (x - 2)$

Step 2.3.2

Expand $(- 7 x + 6) (x - 2)$ using the FOIL Method.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.3.2.1

Apply the distributive property.

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = - 7 x (x - 2) + 6 (x - 2)$

Step 2.3.2.2

Apply the distributive property.

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = - 7 x \cdot x - 7 x \cdot - 2 + 6 (x - 2)$

Step 2.3.2.3

Apply the distributive property.

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = - 7 x \cdot x - 7 x \cdot - 2 + 6 x + 6 \cdot - 2$

Step 2.3.3

Simplify and combine like terms.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.3.3.1

Simplify each term.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.3.3.1.1

Multiply $x$ by $x$ by adding the exponents.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.3.3.1.1.1

Move $x$ .

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = - 7 (x \cdot x) - 7 x \cdot - 2 + 6 x + 6 \cdot - 2$

Step 2.3.3.1.1.2

Multiply $x$ by $x$ .

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = - 7 x^{2} - 7 x \cdot - 2 + 6 x + 6 \cdot - 2$

Step 2.3.3.1.2

Multiply $- 2$ by $- 7$ .

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = - 7 x^{2} + 14 x + 6 x + 6 \cdot - 2$

Step 2.3.3.1.3

Multiply $6$ by $- 2$ .

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = - 7 x^{2} + 14 x + 6 x - 12$

Step 2.3.3.2

Add $14 x$ and $6 x$ .

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} = - 7 x^{2} + 20 x - 12$

Step 3

Solve the equation.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1

Move all terms containing $x$ to the left side of the equation.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1.1

Add $7 x^{2}$ to both sides of the equation.

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} + 7 x^{2} = 20 x - 12$

Step 3.1.2

Subtract $20 x$ from both sides of the equation.

$4 x^{2} - 2 x^{3} + 7 x^{2} - 20 x = - 12$

Step 3.1.3

Add $4 x^{2}$ and $7 x^{2}$ .

$- 2 x^{3} + 11 x^{2} - 20 x = - 12$

Step 3.2

Add $12$ to both sides of the equation.

$- 2 x^{3} + 11 x^{2} - 20 x + 12 = 0$

Step 3.3

Factor the left side of the equation.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.1

Factor $- 2 x^{3} + 11 x^{2} - 20 x + 12$ using the rational roots test.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.1.1

If a polynomial function has integer coefficients, then every rational zero will have the form $\frac{p}{q}$ where $p$ is a factor of the constant and $q$ is a factor of the leading coefficient.

$p = \pm 1, \pm 12, \pm 2, \pm 6, \pm 3, \pm 4$

$q = \pm 1, \pm 2$

Step 3.3.1.2

Find every combination of $\pm \frac{p}{q}$ . These are the possible roots of the polynomial function.

$\pm 1, \pm 0.5, \pm 12, \pm 6, \pm 2, \pm 3, \pm 1.5, \pm 4$

Step 3.3.1.3

Substitute $2$ and simplify the expression. In this case, the expression is equal to $0$ so $2$ is a root of the polynomial.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.1.3.1

Substitute $2$ into the polynomial.

$- 2 \cdot 2^{3} + 11 \cdot 2^{2} - 20 \cdot 2 + 12$

Step 3.3.1.3.2

Raise $2$ to the power of $3$ .

$- 2 \cdot 8 + 11 \cdot 2^{2} - 20 \cdot 2 + 12$

Step 3.3.1.3.3

Multiply $- 2$ by $8$ .

$- 16 + 11 \cdot 2^{2} - 20 \cdot 2 + 12$

Step 3.3.1.3.4

Raise $2$ to the power of $2$ .

$- 16 + 11 \cdot 4 - 20 \cdot 2 + 12$

Step 3.3.1.3.5

Multiply $11$ by $4$ .

$- 16 + 44 - 20 \cdot 2 + 12$

Step 3.3.1.3.6

Add $- 16$ and $44$ .

$28 - 20 \cdot 2 + 12$

Step 3.3.1.3.7

Multiply $- 20$ by $2$ .

$28 - 40 + 12$

Step 3.3.1.3.8

Subtract $40$ from $28$ .

$- 12 + 12$

Step 3.3.1.3.9

Add $- 12$ and $12$ .

$0$

Step 3.3.1.4

Since $2$ is a known root, divide the polynomial by $x - 2$ to find the quotient polynomial. This polynomial can then be used to find the remaining roots.

$\frac{- 2 x^{3} + 11 x^{2} - 20 x + 12}{x - 2}$

Step 3.3.1.5

Divide $- 2 x^{3} + 11 x^{2} - 20 x + 12$ by $x - 2$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.1.5.1

Set up the polynomials to be divided. If there is not a term for every exponent, insert one with a value of $0$ .

$x$

$2$

$2 x^{3}$

$11 x^{2}$

$20 x$

$12$

Step 3.3.1.5.2

Divide the highest order term in the dividend $- 2 x^{3}$ by the highest order term in divisor $x$ .

				-	$2 x^{2}$
	$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$

Step 3.3.1.5.3

Multiply the new quotient term by the divisor.

			-	$2 x^{2}$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$4 x^{2}$

Step 3.3.1.5.4

The expression needs to be subtracted from the dividend, so change all the signs in $- 2 x^{3} + 4 x^{2}$

			-	$2 x^{2}$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$

Step 3.3.1.5.5

After changing the signs, add the last dividend from the multiplied polynomial to find the new dividend.

			-	$2 x^{2}$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$

Step 3.3.1.5.6

Pull the next terms from the original dividend down into the current dividend.

			-	$2 x^{2}$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$

Step 3.3.1.5.7

Divide the highest order term in the dividend $7 x^{2}$ by the highest order term in divisor $x$ .

			-	$2 x^{2}$	+	$7 x$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$

Step 3.3.1.5.8

Multiply the new quotient term by the divisor.

			-	$2 x^{2}$	+	$7 x$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$14 x$

Step 3.3.1.5.9

The expression needs to be subtracted from the dividend, so change all the signs in $7 x^{2} - 14 x$

			-	$2 x^{2}$	+	$7 x$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$
					-	$7 x^{2}$	+	$14 x$

Step 3.3.1.5.10

After changing the signs, add the last dividend from the multiplied polynomial to find the new dividend.

			-	$2 x^{2}$	+	$7 x$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$
					-	$7 x^{2}$	+	$14 x$
							-	$6 x$

Step 3.3.1.5.11

Pull the next terms from the original dividend down into the current dividend.

			-	$2 x^{2}$	+	$7 x$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$
					-	$7 x^{2}$	+	$14 x$
							-	$6 x$	+	$12$

Step 3.3.1.5.12

Divide the highest order term in the dividend $- 6 x$ by the highest order term in divisor $x$ .

			-	$2 x^{2}$	+	$7 x$	-	$6$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$
					-	$7 x^{2}$	+	$14 x$
							-	$6 x$	+	$12$

Step 3.3.1.5.13

Multiply the new quotient term by the divisor.

			-	$2 x^{2}$	+	$7 x$	-	$6$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$
					-	$7 x^{2}$	+	$14 x$
							-	$6 x$	+	$12$
							-	$6 x$	+	$12$

Step 3.3.1.5.14

The expression needs to be subtracted from the dividend, so change all the signs in $- 6 x + 12$

			-	$2 x^{2}$	+	$7 x$	-	$6$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$
					-	$7 x^{2}$	+	$14 x$
							-	$6 x$	+	$12$
							+	$6 x$	-	$12$

Step 3.3.1.5.15

After changing the signs, add the last dividend from the multiplied polynomial to find the new dividend.

			-	$2 x^{2}$	+	$7 x$	-	$6$
$x$	-	$2$	-	$2 x^{3}$	+	$11 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$	+	$12$
			+	$2 x^{3}$	-	$4 x^{2}$
					+	$7 x^{2}$	-	$20 x$
					-	$7 x^{2}$	+	$14 x$
							-	$6 x$	+	$12$
							+	$6 x$	-	$12$
										$0$

Step 3.3.1.5.16

Since the remander is $0$ , the final answer is the quotient.

$- 2 x^{2} + 7 x - 6$

Step 3.3.1.6

Write $- 2 x^{3} + 11 x^{2} - 20 x + 12$ as a set of factors.

$(x - 2) (- 2 x^{2} + 7 x - 6) = 0$

Step 3.3.2

Factor by grouping.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.2.1

Factor by grouping.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.2.1.1

For a polynomial of the form $a x^{2} + b x + c$ , rewrite the middle term as a sum of two terms whose product is $a \cdot c = - 2 \cdot - 6 = 12$ and whose sum is $b = 7$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.2.1.1.1

Factor $7$ out of $7 x$ .

$(x - 2) (- 2 x^{2} + 7 (x) - 6) = 0$

Step 3.3.2.1.1.2

Rewrite $7$ as $3$ plus $4$

$(x - 2) (- 2 x^{2} + (3 + 4) x - 6) = 0$

Step 3.3.2.1.1.3

Apply the distributive property.

$(x - 2) (- 2 x^{2} + 3 x + 4 x - 6) = 0$

Step 3.3.2.1.2

Factor out the greatest common factor from each group.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.2.1.2.1

Group the first two terms and the last two terms.

$(x - 2) ((- 2 x^{2} + 3 x) + 4 x - 6) = 0$

Step 3.3.2.1.2.2

Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from each group.

$(x - 2) (x (- 2 x + 3) - 2 (- 2 x + 3)) = 0$

Step 3.3.2.1.3

Factor the polynomial by factoring out the greatest common factor, $- 2 x + 3$ .

$(x - 2) ((- 2 x + 3) (x - 2)) = 0$

Step 3.3.2.2

Remove unnecessary parentheses.

$(x - 2) (- 2 x + 3) (x - 2) = 0$

Step 3.4

If any individual factor on the left side of the equation is equal to $0$ , the entire expression will be equal to $0$ .

$x - 2 = 0$

$- 2 x + 3 = 0$

$x - 2 = 0$

Step 3.5

Set $x - 2$ equal to $0$ and solve for $x$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.5.1

Set $x - 2$ equal to $0$ .

$x - 2 = 0$

Step 3.5.2

Add $2$ to both sides of the equation.

$x = 2$

Step 3.6

Set $- 2 x + 3$ equal to $0$ and solve for $x$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.6.1

Set $- 2 x + 3$ equal to $0$ .

$- 2 x + 3 = 0$

Step 3.6.2

Solve $- 2 x + 3 = 0$ for $x$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.6.2.1

Subtract $3$ from both sides of the equation.

$- 2 x = - 3$

Step 3.6.2.2

Divide each term in $- 2 x = - 3$ by $- 2$ and simplify.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.6.2.2.1

Divide each term in $- 2 x = - 3$ by $- 2$ .

$\frac{- 2 x}{- 2} = \frac{- 3}{- 2}$

Step 3.6.2.2.2

Simplify the left side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.6.2.2.2.1

Cancel the common factor of $- 2$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.6.2.2.2.1.1

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{- 2 x}{- 2} = \frac{- 3}{- 2}$

Step 3.6.2.2.2.1.2

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{- 3}{- 2}$

Step 3.6.2.2.3

Simplify the right side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.6.2.2.3.1

Dividing two negative values results in a positive value.

$x = \frac{3}{2}$

Step 3.7

The final solution is all the values that make $(x - 2) (- 2 x + 3) (x - 2) = 0$ true.

$x = 2, \frac{3}{2}$

Step 4

Exclude the solutions that do not make $\frac{2 x^{2}}{x - 2} = \frac{- 7 x + 6}{2 - x}$ true.

$x = \frac{3}{2}$

Step 5