Advanced Math/1/x = x-1

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Expert: Sherry Wallin - 7/12/2010


Question
If 1/x = x - 1              what is x  (or some possible values for x?)

Answer
Rami~
    
You need to solve for x:

x(1/x) = x(x-1)->
1 = x^2 - x ->
0 = x^2 - x - 1 since it doesn't factor by sight you need to use the quadratic formula:

x = -(-1) +-sqrt[(-1)^2-4(1)(-1)]/(1) ->
x = 1 +- sqrt(1+4)/2 ->
x = 1 +- sqrt(5)/2

So there are two values of x that work: [1 + sqrt(5)]/2] and [1 - sqrt(5)]/2 which simplifies to:

(1/2) + sqrt(5)/2; (1/2) - sqrt(5)/2

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Sherry Wallin

Expertise

I can answer most questions up through Calculus and some in Number Theory and Abstract Algebra.

Experience

I have had my Bachelor's Degree since 1987 and have been a teacher since 1988. I earned my Masters Degree in Mathematics May 2010. I have been teaching at the same community college since 2002.

Education/Credentials
I have taught 12 years at the community college level, medical college, and technical college as well as a high school instructor and alternative education instructor and charter school instructor.

Awards and Honors
Master's GPA 3.56 Bachelor's GPA 3.34 Post grad work not degree related GPA 4.0

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