Question

HELP PLEASE!

Answer 1

multiply both sides by (x-7)

Answer 2

that will clear out the fractions

Answer 3

It will look like this ... cancel out the (x-7)'s common in top and bottom of the fractions.
\[\frac{ (x-7)*x^2 }{ (x-7) } = \frac{ (x-7)*49 }{ (x-7) }\]

Answer 4

I found two solutions 7 and -7

Answer 5

so the answer would be -49?

Answer 6

when you cancel the x-7 on each side after multiplying both sides by (x-7)
you are left with

x^2 = 49

x is the square root of 49

Answer 7

remember though it is + or - square root of 49

Answer 8

I am so confused. so since one is -7 and the other equals 7 wouldn't it be 0 so that's no solution?

Answer 9

if you solved that the way i did, you get that x = +7 or x=-7
but there are extraneous solutions

the original expression has a (x-7) in the denominator, and the denominator can not be zero. (x-7) cant be zero, so x cant be +7

that leaves only x=-7 as the possible solution

Answer 10

did you learn of extraneous solutions?

Answer 11

@stephaniebenitez

Answer 12

No I've never learned or heard about extraneous solutions... your so helpful thanks!!! :) I appreciate it

Answer 13

http://hotmath.com/hotmath_help/topics/extraneous-solutions.html