Question

Solve

5 3
- - 1 = -
x x

Answer 1

(5/x) - 1 = (3/x)
let's put -1 into terms of x: -(x/x)
so now the problem is (5/x) - (x/x) = (3/x)
which simplifies to (5-x)/(x) = (3/x)
cross multiply: 5x-x^2 = 3x
DO NOT DIVIDE BY X. doing so will cause you to lose an answer
lets simplify instead: 2x-x^2=0
factor: x(2-x) = 0
solve: x= 0 and 2
but x cannot equal zero for it will make the initial equation undefined, so x=2