Lesson 21
Rational Equations (Part 2)
- Let’s write and solve some more rational equations.
Problem 1
Solve \(x-1 = \dfrac{x^2 - 4x + 3}{x+2}\) for \(x\).
Problem 2
Solve \(\frac{4}{4-x} = \frac{5}{4+x}\) for \(x\).
Problem 3
Show that the equation \(\frac{1}{60} = \frac{2x+50}{x(x+50)}\) is equivalent to \(x^2 - 70x - 3,\!000 = 0\) for all values of \(x\) not equal to 0 or -50. Explain each step as you rewrite the original equation.
Problem 4
Kiran jogs at a speed of 6 miles per hour when there are no hills. He plans to jog up a mountain road, which will cause his speed to decrease by \(r\) miles per hour. Which expression represents the time, \(t\), in hours it will take him to jog 8 miles up the mountain road?
\(t=\frac{8-r}{6}\)
\(t=\frac{8}{6+r}\)
\(t=\frac{6+r}{8}\)
\(t=\frac{8}{6-r}\)
Problem 5
The rational function \(g(x) = \frac{x+10}{x}\) can be rewritten in the form \(g(x) = c + \frac{r}{x}\), where \(c\) and \(r\) are constants. Which expression is the result?
\(g(x)=x+\frac{10}{x}\)
\(g(x)=1+\frac{10}{x}\)
\(g(x)=x -\frac{10}{x+10}\)
\(g(x)=1-\frac{1}{x+10}\)
Problem 6
For each equation below, find the value(s) of \(x\) that make it true.
- \(10 = \frac{1+7x}{7+x}\)
- \(0.2=\frac{6+2x}{12+x}\)
- \(0.8= \frac{x}{0.5+x}\)
- \(3.5=\frac{4+2x}{0.5-x}\)
Problem 7
A softball player has had 8 base hits out of 25 at bats for a current batting average of \(\frac{8}{25}=.320\).
How many consecutive base hits does she need if she wants to raise her batting average to .400? Explain or show your reasoning.