Solving Rational Equations-
4/4x-1 - 1/x-1 = 2/4x-1

so far i have..
(4x-1)(4/4x-1) - (4x-1)(1/x-1) = (4x-1)(2/4x-1)

4 - (4)(1) = 2
4-4=2
0=2 Answer is -1/2 just no idea how to get there

Question

Solving Rational Equations-
4/4x-1 - 1/x-1 = 2/4x-1

so far i have..
(4x-1)(4/4x-1) - (4x-1)(1/x-1) = (4x-1)(2/4x-1)

4 - (4)(1) = 2
4-4=2
0=2                   Answer is -1/2 just no idea how to get there

boxman61 · Answer

correct answer is  -1/2
Teacher gives question and answer

anonymous · Answer

I'll work it out and get back to you.

boxman61 · Answer

thanks

phi · Answer

so far i have..
(4x-1)(4/4x-1) - (4x-1)(1/x-1) = (4x-1)(2/4x-1)

That is not a bad start.  notice that you can cancel things
$$\cancel{(4x-1)}\frac{4}{\cancel{4x-1}}- \frac{4x-1}{x-1}= \cancel{(4x-1)}\frac{2}{\cancel{4x-1}}$$

phi · Answer

because (4x-1)/(4x-1) = 1

anonymous · Answer

attachment

phi · Answer

can you solve
$$4- \frac{4x-1}{x-1}=2$$

boxman61 · Answer

ahh feel like an idiot lol...thanks everybody

anonymous · Answer

no no don't feel like an idiot!

anonymous · Answer

We've all had to struggle through this process, even the smartest people on here.

anonymous · Answer

Although elegant, that approach can be confusing for first-timers.

anonymous · Answer

sorry, not trying to offend :-)

boxman61 · Answer

no offence, ive never liked algebra... especially when the given examples are not even close  thank you all again

anonymous · Answer

@luis It came out at rude and I apologize for that.  Very sorry

phi · Answer

btw Luis, in  your first post you flipped a minus sign.  ooops (do it myself sometimes)

anonymous · Answer

@Boxman61 when you start out, it's easiest to do things in more steps rather than less so that your mind can work through the whole process.  I hope your instructor feels the same way as I do.

boxman61 · Answer

her husband wrote the book so i doubt it...

anonymous · Answer

Oh boy!  I wouldn't even wanna got here with her, lol.

Have you sought out Google for learning topics in algebra?  A lot of times, I can google part of a story problem and something very similar will pop up.  The numbers are just different.  I don't encourage cheating, but I think it's step to actually learning the process (I mean if the book's not helping then what the heck.  You'll learn it eventually anyway).

boxman61 · Answer

i use it when needed... dont even like using OpenStudy but sometimes this book makes no sense

anonymous · Answer

Have you considered using Paul's online notes as an extra resource?

anonymous · Answer

This instructor is God imho http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/Alg/Alg.aspx