Exercise image

Amanita, let's solve the equation inside the green rectangle step by step. The equation is:

2x+1x+5=3x1x+7\frac{2x + 1}{x + 5} = \frac{3x - 1}{x + 7}

Step-by-Step Plan

  1. Understand the Equation: We have two fractions set equal to each other. To solve for xx, we need to eliminate the denominators.
  2. Cross-Multiply: Since the denominators are different, we can cross-multiply to get rid of the fractions. This means multiplying both sides by both denominators.
  3. Expand and Simplify: After cross-multiplying, expand both sides and collect like terms.
  4. Solve for xx: Rearrange the equation to isolate xx and solve.
  5. Check for Restrictions: Make sure the values of xx do not make any denominator zero.

Let's begin!


Step 1: Cross-Multiply

Cross-multiplying gives us:

(2x+1)(x+7)=(3x1)(x+5)(2x + 1)(x + 7) = (3x - 1)(x + 5)


Step 2: Expand Both Sides

Let's expand both sides:

  • Left side: (2x+1)(x+7)=2x(x+7)+1(x+7)=2x2+14x+x+7=2x2+15x+7(2x + 1)(x + 7) = 2x(x + 7) + 1(x + 7) = 2x^2 + 14x + x + 7 = 2x^2 + 15x + 7
  • Right side: (3x1)(x+5)=3x(x+5)1(x+5)=3x2+15xx5=3x2+14x5(3x - 1)(x + 5) = 3x(x + 5) - 1(x + 5) = 3x^2 + 15x - x - 5 = 3x^2 + 14x - 5

Step 3: Set the Expanded Sides Equal

2x2+15x+7=3x2+14x52x^2 + 15x + 7 = 3x^2 + 14x - 5


Step 4: Rearrange to Form a Quadratic Equation

Move all terms to one side:

2x2+15x+73x214x+5=02x^2 + 15x + 7 - 3x^2 - 14x + 5 = 0

x2+x+12=0- x^2 + x + 12 = 0

Multiply both sides by -1 to make the quadratic coefficient positive:

x2x12=0x^2 - x - 12 = 0

Step 5: Solve the Quadratic Equation

Now, let's solve:

x2x12=0x^2 - x - 12 = 0

Step 6: Check for Restrictions

Remember, xx cannot be 5-5 or 7-7 because those values would make the denominators zero in the original equation.


Now, let's solve the quadratic equation for xx. Amanita, after solving the quadratic equation x2x12=0x^2 - x - 12 = 0, we get two possible solutions:

x=3andx=4x = -3 \quad \text{and} \quad x = 4

Let's check if these values are allowed. The original denominators were x+5x + 5 and x+7x + 7. If we substitute x=3x = -3 or x=4x = 4, neither value makes the denominators zero, so both are valid solutions.

Final Answer:

x=3andx=4\boxed{x = -3 \quad \text{and} \quad x = 4}