Pre-Algebra Examples

$\frac{4}{x^{2} + 2 x - 8} + \frac{2}{x^{2} + x - 6} = \frac{3}{x^{2} + 7 x + 12}$

Step 1

Simplify each term.

Tap for more steps...

Step 1.1

Factor $x^{2} + 2 x - 8$ using the AC method.

Tap for more steps...

Step 1.1.1

Consider the form $x^{2} + b x + c$ . Find a pair of integers whose product is $c$ and whose sum is $b$ . In this case, whose product is $- 8$ and whose sum is $2$ .

$- 2, 4$

Step 1.1.2

Write the factored form using these integers.

$\frac{4}{(x - 2) (x + 4)} + \frac{2}{x^{2} + x - 6} = \frac{3}{x^{2} + 7 x + 12}$

Step 1.2

Factor $x^{2} + x - 6$ using the AC method.

Tap for more steps...

Step 1.2.1

Consider the form $x^{2} + b x + c$ . Find a pair of integers whose product is $c$ and whose sum is $b$ . In this case, whose product is $- 6$ and whose sum is $1$ .

$- 2, 3$

Step 1.2.2

Write the factored form using these integers.

$\frac{4}{(x - 2) (x + 4)} + \frac{2}{(x - 2) (x + 3)} = \frac{3}{x^{2} + 7 x + 12}$

Step 2

Factor $x^{2} + 7 x + 12$ using the AC method.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1

Consider the form $x^{2} + b x + c$ . Find a pair of integers whose product is $c$ and whose sum is $b$ . In this case, whose product is $12$ and whose sum is $7$ .

$3, 4$

Step 2.2

Write the factored form using these integers.

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

Step 3

Graph each side of the equation. The solution is the x-value of the point of intersection.

$x = - \frac{26}{3}$

Step 4