Basic Math Examples

$(\frac{w x + 4}{w x - 4}) - (\frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4}) = 1$

Step 1

Find the LCD of the terms in the equation.

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Step 1.1

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

$w x - 4, w x + 4, 1$

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 $1, 1, 1$ 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 $w x - 4$ is $w x - 4$ itself.

$(w x - 4) = w x - 4$

$(w x - 4)$ occurs $1$ time.

Step 1.6

The factor for $w x + 4$ is $w x + 4$ itself.

$(w x + 4) = w x + 4$

$(w x + 4)$ occurs $1$ time.

Step 1.7

The LCM of $w x - 4, w x + 4$ is the result of multiplying all factors the greatest number of times they occur in either term.

$(w x - 4) (w x + 4)$

Step 2

Multiply each term in $\frac{w x + 4}{w x - 4} - \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4} = 1$ by $(w x - 4) (w x + 4)$ to eliminate the fractions.

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Step 2.1

Multiply each term in $\frac{w x + 4}{w x - 4} - \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4} = 1$ by $(w x - 4) (w x + 4)$ .

$\frac{w x + 4}{w x - 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) - \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2

Simplify the left side.

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Step 2.2.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 2.2.1.1

Cancel the common factor of $w x - 4$ .

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Step 2.2.1.1.1

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{w x + 4}{w x - 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) - \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.1.2

Rewrite the expression.

$(w x + 4) (w x + 4) - \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.2

Raise $w x + 4$ to the power of $1$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{1} (w x + 4) - \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.3

Raise $w x + 4$ to the power of $1$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{1} {(w x + 4)}^{1} - \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.4

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

${(w x + 4)}^{1 + 1} - \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.5

Add $1$ and $1$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.6

Cancel the common factor of $w x + 4$ .

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Step 2.2.1.6.1

Move the leading negative in $- \frac{w x - 4}{w x + 4}$ into the numerator.

${(w x + 4)}^{2} + \frac{- (w x - 4)}{w x + 4} ((w x - 4) (w x + 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.6.2

Factor $w x + 4$ out of $(w x - 4) (w x + 4)$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} + \frac{- (w x - 4)}{w x + 4} ((w x + 4) (w x - 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.6.3

Cancel the common factor.

${(w x + 4)}^{2} + \frac{- (w x - 4)}{w x + 4} ((w x + 4) (w x - 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.6.4

Rewrite the expression.

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - (w x - 4) (w x - 4) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.7

Raise $w x - 4$ to the power of $1$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - ({(w x - 4)}^{1} (w x - 4)) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.8

Raise $w x - 4$ to the power of $1$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - ({(w x - 4)}^{1} {(w x - 4)}^{1}) = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.9

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

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{1 + 1} = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.2.1.10

Add $1$ and $1$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = 1 ((w x - 4) (w x + 4))$

Step 2.3

Simplify the right side.

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Step 2.3.1

Multiply $(w x - 4) (w x + 4)$ by $1$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = (w x - 4) (w x + 4)$

Step 2.3.2

Expand $(w x - 4) (w x + 4)$ using the FOIL Method.

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Step 2.3.2.1

Apply the distributive property.

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w x (w x + 4) - 4 (w x + 4)$

Step 2.3.2.2

Apply the distributive property.

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w x (w x) + w x \cdot 4 - 4 (w x + 4)$

Step 2.3.2.3

Apply the distributive property.

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w x (w x) + w x \cdot 4 - 4 (w x) - 4 \cdot 4$

Step 2.3.3

Simplify terms.

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Step 2.3.3.1

Combine the opposite terms in $w x (w x) + w x \cdot 4 - 4 (w x) - 4 \cdot 4$ .

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Step 2.3.3.1.1

Reorder the factors in the terms $w x \cdot 4$ and $- 4 (w x)$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w x (w x) + 4 w x - 4 w x - 4 \cdot 4$

Step 2.3.3.1.2

Subtract $4 w x$ from $4 w x$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w x (w x) + 0 - 4 \cdot 4$

Step 2.3.3.1.3

Add $w x (w x)$ and $0$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w x (w x) - 4 \cdot 4$

Step 2.3.3.2

Simplify each term.

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Step 2.3.3.2.1

Multiply $w$ by $w$ by adding the exponents.

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Step 2.3.3.2.1.1

Move $w$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w \cdot w x \cdot x - 4 \cdot 4$

Step 2.3.3.2.1.2

Multiply $w$ by $w$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w^{2} x \cdot x - 4 \cdot 4$

Step 2.3.3.2.2

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

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Step 2.3.3.2.2.1

Move $x$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w^{2} (x \cdot x) - 4 \cdot 4$

Step 2.3.3.2.2.2

Multiply $x$ by $x$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w^{2} x^{2} - 4 \cdot 4$

Step 2.3.3.2.3

Multiply $- 4$ by $4$ .

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} = w^{2} x^{2} - 16$

Step 3

Solve the equation.

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Step 3.1

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

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Step 3.1.1

Subtract $w^{2} x^{2}$ from both sides of the equation.

${(w x + 4)}^{2} - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2

Simplify each term.

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Step 3.1.2.1

Rewrite ${(w x + 4)}^{2}$ as $(w x + 4) (w x + 4)$ .

$(w x + 4) (w x + 4) - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.2

Expand $(w x + 4) (w x + 4)$ using the FOIL Method.

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Step 3.1.2.2.1

Apply the distributive property.

$w x (w x + 4) + 4 (w x + 4) - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.2.2

Apply the distributive property.

$w x (w x) + w x \cdot 4 + 4 (w x + 4) - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.2.3

Apply the distributive property.

$w x (w x) + w x \cdot 4 + 4 (w x) + 4 \cdot 4 - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.3

Simplify and combine like terms.

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Step 3.1.2.3.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 3.1.2.3.1.1

Multiply $w$ by $w$ by adding the exponents.

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Step 3.1.2.3.1.1.1

Move $w$ .

$w \cdot w x \cdot x + w x \cdot 4 + 4 (w x) + 4 \cdot 4 - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.3.1.1.2

Multiply $w$ by $w$ .

$w^{2} x \cdot x + w x \cdot 4 + 4 (w x) + 4 \cdot 4 - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.3.1.2

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

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Step 3.1.2.3.1.2.1

Move $x$ .

$w^{2} (x \cdot x) + w x \cdot 4 + 4 (w x) + 4 \cdot 4 - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.3.1.2.2

Multiply $x$ by $x$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + w x \cdot 4 + 4 (w x) + 4 \cdot 4 - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.3.1.3

Move $4$ to the left of $w x$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 4 \cdot (w x) + 4 (w x) + 4 \cdot 4 - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.3.1.4

Multiply $4$ by $4$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 4 w x + 4 w x + 16 - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.3.2

Add $4 w x$ and $4 w x$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - {(w x - 4)}^{2} - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.4

Rewrite ${(w x - 4)}^{2}$ as $(w x - 4) (w x - 4)$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - ((w x - 4) (w x - 4)) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.5

Expand $(w x - 4) (w x - 4)$ using the FOIL Method.

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Step 3.1.2.5.1

Apply the distributive property.

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w x (w x - 4) - 4 (w x - 4)) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.5.2

Apply the distributive property.

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w x (w x) + w x \cdot - 4 - 4 (w x - 4)) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.5.3

Apply the distributive property.

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w x (w x) + w x \cdot - 4 - 4 (w x) - 4 \cdot - 4) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.6

Simplify and combine like terms.

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Step 3.1.2.6.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 3.1.2.6.1.1

Multiply $w$ by $w$ by adding the exponents.

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Step 3.1.2.6.1.1.1

Move $w$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w \cdot w x \cdot x + w x \cdot - 4 - 4 (w x) - 4 \cdot - 4) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.6.1.1.2

Multiply $w$ by $w$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w^{2} x \cdot x + w x \cdot - 4 - 4 (w x) - 4 \cdot - 4) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.6.1.2

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

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Step 3.1.2.6.1.2.1

Move $x$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w^{2} (x \cdot x) + w x \cdot - 4 - 4 (w x) - 4 \cdot - 4) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.6.1.2.2

Multiply $x$ by $x$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w^{2} x^{2} + w x \cdot - 4 - 4 (w x) - 4 \cdot - 4) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.6.1.3

Move $- 4$ to the left of $w x$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w^{2} x^{2} - 4 \cdot (w x) - 4 (w x) - 4 \cdot - 4) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.6.1.4

Multiply $- 4$ by $- 4$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w^{2} x^{2} - 4 w x - 4 w x + 16) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.6.2

Subtract $4 w x$ from $- 4 w x$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w^{2} x^{2} - 8 w x + 16) - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.7

Apply the distributive property.

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - (w^{2} x^{2}) - (- 8 w x) - 1 \cdot 16 - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.8

Simplify.

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Step 3.1.2.8.1

Multiply $- 8$ by $- 1$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - w^{2} x^{2} + 8 (w x) - 1 \cdot 16 - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.2.8.2

Multiply $- 1$ by $16$ .

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - w^{2} x^{2} + 8 (w x) - 16 - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

$w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x - 16 - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.3

Combine the opposite terms in $w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x + 16 - w^{2} x^{2} + 8 w x - 16 - w^{2} x^{2}$ .

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Step 3.1.3.1

Subtract $w^{2} x^{2}$ from $w^{2} x^{2}$ .

$8 w x + 16 + 0 + 8 w x - 16 - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.3.2

Add $8 w x + 16$ and $0$ .

$8 w x + 16 + 8 w x - 16 - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.3.3

Subtract $16$ from $16$ .

$8 w x + 8 w x + 0 - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.3.4

Add $8 w x + 8 w x$ and $0$ .

$8 w x + 8 w x - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.1.4

Add $8 w x$ and $8 w x$ .

$16 w x - w^{2} x^{2} = - 16$

Step 3.2

Add $16$ to both sides of the equation.

$16 w x - w^{2} x^{2} + 16 = 0$

Step 3.3

Use the quadratic formula to find the solutions.

$\frac{- b \pm \sqrt{b^{2} - 4 (a c)}}{2 a}$

Step 3.4

Substitute the values $a = - x^{2}$ , $b = 16 x$ , and $c = 16$ into the quadratic formula and solve for $w$ .

$\frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{{(16 x)}^{2} - 4 \cdot (- x^{2} \cdot 16)}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5

Simplify.

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Step 3.5.1

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 3.5.1.1

Add parentheses.

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{{(16 x)}^{2} - 4 \cdot (- (x^{2} \cdot 16))}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.2

Let $u = - (x^{2} \cdot 16)$ . Substitute $u$ for all occurrences of $- (x^{2} \cdot 16)$ .

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Step 3.5.1.2.1

Apply the product rule to $16 x$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{16^{2} x^{2} - 4 \cdot u}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.2.2

Raise $16$ to the power of $2$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{256 x^{2} - 4 u}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.3

Factor $4$ out of $256 x^{2} - 4 u$ .

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Step 3.5.1.3.1

Factor $4$ out of $256 x^{2}$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{4 (64 x^{2}) - 4 u}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.3.2

Factor $4$ out of $- 4 u$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{4 (64 x^{2}) + 4 (- u)}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.3.3

Factor $4$ out of $4 (64 x^{2}) + 4 (- u)$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{4 (64 x^{2} - u)}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.4

Replace all occurrences of $u$ with $- (x^{2} \cdot 16)$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{4 (64 x^{2} + x^{2} \cdot 16)}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.5

Simplify.

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Step 3.5.1.5.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 3.5.1.5.1.1

Move $16$ to the left of $x^{2}$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{4 (64 x^{2} + 16 \cdot x^{2})}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.5.1.2

Multiply $16$ by $- 1$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{4 (64 x^{2} - (- 16 x^{2}))}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.5.1.3

Multiply $- 16$ by $- 1$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{4 (64 x^{2} + 16 x^{2})}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.5.2

Add $64 x^{2}$ and $16 x^{2}$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{4 (80 x^{2})}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{4 \cdot (80 x^{2})}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.6

Multiply $4$ by $80$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{320 x^{2}}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.7

Rewrite $320 x^{2}$ as ${(8 x)}^{2} \cdot 5$ .

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Step 3.5.1.7.1

Factor $64$ out of $320$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{64 (5) x^{2}}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.7.2

Rewrite $64$ as $8^{2}$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{8^{2} \cdot (5 x^{2})}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.7.3

Move $5$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{8^{2} x^{2} \cdot 5}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.7.4

Rewrite $8^{2} x^{2}$ as ${(8 x)}^{2}$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm \sqrt{{(8 x)}^{2} \cdot 5}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.1.8

Pull terms out from under the radical.

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm 8 x \sqrt{5}}{2 (- x^{2})}$

Step 3.5.2

Multiply $- 1$ by $2$ .

$w = \frac{- 16 x \pm 8 x \sqrt{5}}{- 2 x^{2}}$

Step 3.5.3

Simplify $\frac{- 16 x \pm 8 x \sqrt{5}}{- 2 x^{2}}$ .

$w = \frac{8 \pm 4 \sqrt{5}}{x}$

Step 3.6

The final answer is the combination of both solutions.

$w = \frac{8 + 4 \sqrt{5}}{x}$

$w = \frac{8 - 4 \sqrt{5}}{x}$

$w = \frac{8 + 4 \sqrt{5}}{x}$

$w = \frac{8 - 4 \sqrt{5}}{x}$