Chapter 7: Problem 15
$$ \text { For Problems 1-32, solve each equation. (Objective 1) } $$ $$ \frac{3}{t^{2}-4}+\frac{5}{t+2}=\frac{2}{t-2} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution is \( t = \frac{11}{3} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Denominators
Examine the given equation: \( \frac{3}{t^2-4} + \frac{5}{t+2} = \frac{2}{t-2} \). The denominators are \( t^2-4 \), \( t+2 \), and \( t-2 \). Notice that \( t^2-4 = (t+2)(t-2) \). This means the common denominator is \( (t+2)(t-2) \).
02
Clear the Fractions
Multiply every term in the equation by the common denominator \( (t+2)(t-2) \) to eliminate the fractions: \( (t+2)(t-2) \cdot \frac{3}{t^2-4} + (t+2)(t-2) \cdot \frac{5}{t+2} = (t+2)(t-2) \cdot \frac{2}{t-2} \) This simplifies to: \( 3 + 5(t-2) = 2(t+2) \)
03
Simplify the Equation
Expand and simplify both sides: \( 3 + 5t - 10 = 2t + 4 \) This results in: \( 5t - 7 = 2t + 4 \)
04
Solve for t
Isolate \( t \) by first subtracting \( 2t \) from both sides: \( 5t - 2t - 7 = 4 \) Simplify further: \( 3t - 7 = 4 \) Add 7 to both sides: \( 3t = 11 \) Finally, divide by 3: \( t = \frac{11}{3} \)
05
Check for Extraneous Solutions
Substitute \( t = \frac{11}{3} \) back into the original denominators to ensure no division by zero occurs. The denominators are \( t^2-4 \), \( t+2 \), and \( t-2 \). With \( t = \frac{11}{3} \), none of these expressions equals zero, confirming the solution is valid.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Rational Equations
Rational equations are equations that involve at least one rational expression. A rational expression is essentially a fraction in which the numerator and/or the denominator are polynomials. These types of equations require specific approaches to solve because of their fractional components.
Working with rational equations involves the following steps:
Working with rational equations involves the following steps:
- Identify and isolate the rational expressions in the equation.
- Aim to eliminate the fractions to simplify the equation, often through finding a common denominator.
- Ensure that the solution you find doesn't result in division by zero, which would render the equation undefined.
Common Denominators
In solving rational equations, a key step is finding a common denominator. This allows us to eliminate the fractions so that we can solve the equation more straightforwardly.
A common denominator is essentially a shared multiple of the denominators in your equation. In the provided exercise, the denominators are \( t^2-4 \), \( t+2 \), and \( t-2 \). We recognize that \( t^2-4 \) is the same as \((t+2)(t-2)\), so that product becomes our common denominator.
Once the common denominator is identified:
A common denominator is essentially a shared multiple of the denominators in your equation. In the provided exercise, the denominators are \( t^2-4 \), \( t+2 \), and \( t-2 \). We recognize that \( t^2-4 \) is the same as \((t+2)(t-2)\), so that product becomes our common denominator.
Once the common denominator is identified:
- Multiply every term in the equation by this common denominator to clear the fractions.
- This transforms the rational equation into a simpler form, often a linear or quadratic equation, that can be solved with basic algebraic techniques.
Solving Equations Steps
Once the fractions in a rational equation are cleared, the task is to solve the resulting equation. Following consistent steps can make this process efficient and accurate.
Here’s a typical approach:
Here’s a typical approach:
- Simplify Both Sides: Expand and simplify each side of the equation to make it easier to work with.
- Isolate the Variable: Use algebraic operations to gather all terms involving the variable on one side and constant terms on the other.
- Solve for the Variable: Complete the algebraic manipulations to find the value of the variable.
- Check for Extraneous Solutions: Substitute your solution back into the original fraught equation fractions to ensure it results in non-zero denominators.