Question

Can anyone explain how to solve this equation?

Answer 1

\[\frac{ 1 }{ y-2 } + \frac{ 1 }{ y+2 } = \frac{ 4 }{ y ^{2} -4}\]

Answer 2

Do I first cross multiply or...

Answer 3

I think you should multiply by the opposite first. What I mean is this: \[\frac{ 1 }{ y-2 }\times \frac{ y+2 }{ y+2 }\] This would give you \[\frac{ y+2 }{ y^2-4 }\] So I'm going to say if you do this to the other one you can solve it because you'll have like denominators

Answer 4

Thank you!!! Now that I have like denominators on the left side of the equation... how do I continue to simplify it?

Answer 5

I'll actually trying to figure that out myself haha. So far I have combined y+2+y-2 = 2y/y^2-4 = 4/y^2-4

Answer 6

Oh ok, thank you!!!

Answer 7

What I'm thinking now is possible multiply each side by y^2-4 to get rid of the denominator entirely?

Answer 8

If that is the case..then y=2 :)

Answer 9

I multiplied each side by y^2 -4 but I am not getting y=2 :(

Answer 10

I did this..\[\frac{ y^2-4 }{ 1 }\times \frac{ 2y }{y^2-4? }=\frac{ 4 }{ y^2-4 }\times \frac{ y^2-4 }{ 1 }\]

Answer 11

Ignore the little question mark in there but cross multiplying gets rid of the denominator leaving 2y = 4

Answer 12

Thank you so much!!!

Answer 13

welcome :)