Before even beginning to solve the problem below, how do you know that 2 cannot be a solution of the equation?
3/(m - 2) + 1/(m - 1) = 1/ ( m^2 - 3m + 2)

Question

Before even beginning to solve the problem below, how do you know that 2 cannot be a solution of the equation?
3/(m - 2)  +  1/(m - 1) =  1/ ( m^2 - 3m + 2)

campbell_st · Answer

2 in the 1st fraction will give a value of zero in the denominator, which is undefinded.

campbell_st · Answer

oops undefined

radar · Answer

same for 2nd equation, and 1 is a no no for  2nd equation, do you have to solve it?

anonymous · Answer

yes I need help solving it also.

campbell_st · Answer

factorise the right hand side

$$\frac{3}{m-2} +\frac{1}{m -1} = \frac{1}{(m-2)(m-1)}$$

multiply every term by (m-2)(m-1)

which will give 

3(m -1) +1(m -2) = 1

expand and collect like terms then solve for m

radar · Answer

3                      1                        1
 --------  + ----------- =  ----------------
    m-2                 m-1            (m-2)(m-1)      factored (m^2 -3m +2)
Multiply all terms by (m-2)(m-1)

3(m-1) + (m-2) = 1
3m-3+m-2=1
4m=4
m=1,,,,,,,but if m=1 then that means division by 0 so what are you to do!lol
note the 2nd fraction would have a 0 denominator.