how do you solve a rational equation symbolically?
(x)/(x+12)-2=3

Question

anonymous · Answer

turns out that solving it symbolically is solving it "normally" lol.

first step is to add 2 to both sides:

$$\frac{ x }{ x+12 } = 5$$

then to multiply both sides by (x + 12)

$$x = (x + 12)*5$$
$$x = 5x + 60$$

subtract x - 60 from both sides:

$$4x = -60$$

divide both sides by 4:

x = -15

anonymous · Answer

why then say "graphically"-weird- i got lost with subtracting x-60.... how do you get to 4x=-60? :)

anonymous · Answer

I meant "symbolically" not graphically...ugh, late and doing homework-lol

anonymous · Answer

from:

x =  5x + 60

i subtracted 60 from both sides

x - 60 = 5x

then i subtracted x from both sides

-60 = 4x

combined it to one step to save time :P

anonymous · Answer

oh. it's my mistake.

technically its subtracting (x + 60) since subtracting (x - 60) gives 60 - x when the intention is - 60 - x.

i'll stick to one step at a time :P

anonymous · Answer

ahh...i see , thank you so much!!

anonymous · Answer

glad i could help :)