Question

Solve for the real value of x:
1/x+x=4

Answer 1

x= 3.73, & x= 0.27

Answer 2

how did you get that answer i'm very confused and have a test monday

Answer 3

I'll help.
So the equation is
\[(1/x) +x=4\]
right?

Answer 4

Yes

Answer 5

Alrighty then.. in order to solve it you have to simplify it in order to get rid of the denominator. So inorder to do this you need to multiply x to both sides.
\[x((1/x)+x)=(4)x\]

Answer 6

Once you do that you should get
\[1+x^2=4x\]

Answer 7

Sorry I can explain another time. I have some studying to do. And thanks mods for the warning, how about next time talking to me first. Much Love

Answer 8

Then you move everything to the left side of the equation and you get
\[x^2-4x+1=0\]
Since you can't factor it you have to use the quadratic formula which is
\[x=(-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac})/2a\]
and you insert the numbers into the formula with 1=a, -4=b and 1=c.
and you get
\[x=(-(-4)\pm \sqrt{(-4)^2-4(1)(1)})/2(1)\]

Answer 9

from there you simplify.
\[x=\frac{ 4\pm \sqrt{16-4} }{ 2 }\]
\[x=\frac{ 4\pm \sqrt{12} }{ 2}\]
\[x=\frac{ 4\pm2\sqrt{3}}{ 2 }\]
\[x=2\pm \sqrt{3}\]

Answer 10

in this instance is the quadratic the only equation you can use ?

Answer 11

Yes. Since you can't factor it out by hand or by multiplying two numbers to get the c value and adding to get the b values.

Answer 12

thank you so much i'm starting to understand now !

Answer 13

Your welcome. I apologize if it's not all that clear to you.