Solve the equation. 5 x − 2 3 x = 4 + 3 x \frac{5}{x}-\frac{2}{3x}=4+\frac{3}{x}

Hey, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem. So here I have 5 over x minus 2 over 3 x is equal to 4 +3x, And I wanna solve this rational equation. So let's go ahead and get started with step 1, which is to determine our restriction. Now my 3 denominators I have are x, 3x, and x. So by simply looking at these, I can see that if I were to plug in x equals 0 for any of them, that would make my denominator 0. So I know that x cannot be 0, and that is my restriction. So step 1 is done. I can go ahead and move on to step 2, which is to multiply by my least common denominator, my LCD, to eliminate fractions. Now, again, my 3 denominators are x, 3x, and x, and they all have the common factor of x. And then I have that extra 3 there, so my least common denominator is going to be 3x. Now remember when we multiply by our least common denominator, we want to make sure to distribute to every single term in our equation. So let's go ahead and expand this out. So I have 3x times 5 over x minus 3x times 2 over 3x. And that's equal to 3x times 4. And then finally, my last term, my least common denominator, 3x times 3 over x. Now it looks a little crazy right now. Let's go ahead and simplify a little bit. So in my very first term, this x is going to cancel, leaving me with 3 times 5, which is just 15. And then I have this 3x canceling here, leaving me with simply minus 2. And that's equal to 3x times 4, which just gives me positive 12 x. And then lastly, this x and x are going to cancel. I'm left with 3 times 3, which is simply a positive 9. So step 2 is done. Let's move on to step 3, solving the linear equation that we're left with. So I don't have anything that needs to get distributed, but I do have a like term right here, 15 and negative 2. So this will simplify to 13. I don't have any other like terms I need to get combined, so I just have 12 x plus 9. Now we wanna move all our x terms to one side, all of our constants to the other. Since I only have one x term and it's already on that right side, I'm going to keep it there and move my 9 over by subtracting it. So it will, of course, cancel there. And I'm left with 13 minuteus 9, which will give me a positive 4, and that's equal to 12 x. My last step is, of course, to isolate my x, which I can do by dividing both sides by 12. Now I can actually simplify that a little bit further, simplify that fraction 4 over 12. This simplifies to 1 third, and that's equal to x. So this is my solution, x is equal to 1 third. We can, of course, write it the other way if that makes you happy. So I have x equals 1 3rd. I've completed step 3. Now step 4 is, of course, to check my solution with my restriction. Now my restriction was that x could not be equal to 0, and x is not equal to 0. It's equal to 1 third, and that is my solution. That's all for this one. I'll see you in the next one.

8. Rational Expressions and Equations

Rational Equations

Beginning Algebra

8. Rational Expressions and Equations

Rational Equations

Struggling with Beginning Algebra?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Solve the equation.
$\frac{5}{x} - \frac{2}{3 x} = 4 + \frac{3}{x}$

$x=0$

$x=1$

$x=\frac13$

No solution

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the given equation: $\frac{5}{x} - \frac{2}{3x} = 4 + \frac{3}{x}$.

Find the least common denominator (LCD) of all the fractions, which is \$3x$.

Multiply every term in the equation by the LCD \$3x$ to eliminate the denominators: $3x \times \frac{5}{x} - 3x \times \frac{2}{3x} = 3x \times 4 + 3x \times \frac{3}{x}$.

Simplify each term after multiplication: \$3 \times 5 - 2 = 12x + 3 \times 3$.

Solve the resulting equation for $x$ by isolating $x$ on one side and simplifying the constants on the other side.

5:56m

Watch next

Master Solving Rational Equations with a bite sized video explanation from Patrick Ford

Start learning

Struggling with Beginning Algebra?

Solve the equation.5x−23x=4+3x\frac{5}{x}-\frac{2}{3x}=4+\frac{3}{x}

Watch next

Solve the equation.
$\frac{5}{x} - \frac{2}{3 x} = 4 + \frac{3}{x}$