Help solving radical solution in simplest radical form.

[Figure_skater123]

I was wondering if someone could help me. I have been trying to figure out this question for a couple of days and I can't seem to get it. The question is:

Solve and express a radical solution in simplest radical form:

x-3 / x+4 = x+3 / 2x-1

I know I have to use the quadratic formula to solve the questions and so far this is what I have:

x-3(2x-1) = x+3(x+4)

2x^2 - 1x - 6x + 3 = x^2 + 4x + 3x + 12

2x^2 - x^2 - 1x - 6x - 4x - 3x + 3 - 12 = 0

x^2 - 14x - 9 = 0

-(-14) +- sqrt[(-14)^2 - 4(-9)(0)]^(1/2)
x = -----------------------------------------------
2(0)


14 +- sqrt[304]^(1/2)
x = --------------------------
0


14 +- sqrt[304]^(1/2)
x = --------------------------
0

That’s where I get stuck because you can't divide by 0 and I don't know what to do. So I don't know if I have done something wrong along the way or what’s wrong. Could someone help me?

Thanks

 

[Denis]

Close; : a = 1, not 0; x^2 is really 1x^2 :wink:

Also you don't need "^(1/2)" if you used "sqrt"; type this way:

x = [-(-14) +- sqrt((-14)^2 - 4(-9)(1)) ] / [2(1)]

x = [14 +- sqrt(196 + 36)] / 2

x = [14 +- sqrt(232)] / 2

x = [14 +- sqrt(4 * 58)] / 2

x = [14 +- 2sqrt(58)] / 2

x = 7 +- sqrt(58)

OK?

 

[Figure_skater123]

Hi, thank you for your help. I don't know why I was using x = 0. Sorry about the "^(1/2)" and "sqrt" I was going to use "^(1/2)" then I switched to using "sqrt" and I forgot to erase the "^(1/2)".

Again thanks for your help.