Expert: Lynn Houston - 6/18/2009

Question
1/(x-1) + 1/(x+2) = 5/4

Answer
Start by multiplying each part by 4(x-1)(x+2), the denominator and part of the numerator will cancel out in each part.

4(x+2) + 4(x-1) = 5(x-1)(x+2)  No do the math
4x + 8 + 4x - 4 = 5x^2 + 5x -10  Combine like terms
8x + 4 = 5x^2 + 5x -10  Move everything to the right of =
0 = 5x^2 -3x - 14  Factor
0 = (5x + 7)(x - 2) Take each factor and set it = 0
5x + 7 = 0  or x-2 = 0
x = - 7/5 or  x = 2