Chapter 1: Problem 28
$$\text { Solve each equation analytically. Check it analytically, and then support your solution graphically.}$$ $$\frac{x-2}{4}+\frac{x+1}{2}=1$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Solution: \(x = \frac{4}{3}\); verified analytically and graphically.
Step by step solution
01
Clear the Fractions
To eliminate the fractions, multiply every term by 4, which is the least common multiple of 4 and 2. This gives us: \[ 4 \times \frac{x-2}{4} + 4 \times \frac{x+1}{2} = 4 \times 1 \] This simplifies to: \[ x-2 + 2(x+1) = 4 \]
02
Simplify and Combine Like Terms
Distribute the 2 in the equation: \[ x - 2 + 2x + 2 = 4 \] Now, combine the like terms: \[ 3x = 4 \]
03
Solve for x
To isolate \(x\), divide both sides by 3: \[ x = \frac{4}{3} \]
04
Check the Solution Analytically
Substitute \(x = \frac{4}{3}\) back into the original equation to verify: The original equation is: \[ \frac{x-2}{4} + \frac{x+1}{2} = 1 \] Substitute \(x = \frac{4}{3}\) into this equation: \[ \frac{\frac{4}{3}-2}{4} + \frac{\frac{4}{3}+1}{2} \] Simplifying each term gives: \[ \frac{\frac{-2}{3}}{4} + \frac{\frac{7}{3}}{2} \rightarrow \frac{-2}{12} + \frac{7}{6} \rightarrow -\frac{1}{6} + \frac{7}{6} = 1 \] The solution checks out.
05
Support the Solution Graphically
To graphically support the solution, plot the left-hand side and right-hand side of the equation as functions of \(x\). The left side, \( \frac{x-2}{4} + \frac{x+1}{2} \), intersects the constant function \(y=1\) at \(x = \frac{4}{3}\). This confirms the analytical solution.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Solving Equations
Solving equations is a foundational skill in college algebra. It involves finding the value of a variable that makes the equation true. For example, given the equation \(\frac{x-2}{4}+\frac{x+1}{2}=1\), the goal is to determine which value of \(x\) satisfies it. In this exercise, we start by removing fractions. This makes the equation easier to handle by transforming it into a simpler form.
Here are some simple steps to follow when solving equations:
Here are some simple steps to follow when solving equations:
- Identify and eliminate any fractions by multiplying every term by the least common multiple of the denominators.
- Simplify the equation by combining like terms. This involves grouping all similar variable terms and constant terms together.
- Isolate the variable on one side of the equation to find its value.
Fractions in Equations
Dealing with fractions in equations can seem complicated, but it's manageable with a structured approach. In equations like \(\frac{x-2}{4}+\frac{x+1}{2}=1\), handling fractions is often the first step.
To eliminate fractions:
To eliminate fractions:
- Find the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators. In this case, the LCM of 4 and 2 is 4.
- Multiply every term in the equation by this LCM. This step clears the fractions, leaving you with a simpler, whole-number equation.
- With the fractions gone, proceed to simplify and solve the equation as you would with any other linear equation.
Graphical Solutions
Graphical solutions offer a visual way to understand and verify algebraic equations. After solving an equation analytically, like \(\frac{x-2}{4}+\frac{x+1}{2}=1\), we can use graphs to confirm our findings.
Here's how you can check your solution graphically:
Here's how you can check your solution graphically:
- Graph both sides of the equation as separate functions. For our equation, you graph \(y=\frac{x-2}{4} + \frac{x+1}{2}\) and \(y=1\).
- Look for the point where these graphs intersect. This intersection point indicates the solution.
- In our example, the intersection occurs at \(x=\frac{4}{3}\), which is the solution we found analytically.