You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Rational Word Problems
- Thread starter czagara
- Start date
D
Deleted member 4993
Guest
czagara said:1. Ten divided by the difference of a number and one equals the quotient of the number and two. Find the number.
What I have so far: 10/x-1 = 2x
Is this set up right?
No!
What is 'x'?
Why is it
\(\displaystyle \frac{10}{x} \, - \, 1\)
What does quotient mean?
czagara --
I interpret the problem to imply the following equation:
10/(x-1) = x/2
Multiply both sides of the equation by 2(x-1), and we get this quadratic:
x^2 - x - 20 = 0. This can be factored as (x-5)(x+4) = 0, so the roots are x=5 and x=-4.
If I plug either of these numbers into the expression, the equation listed above holds true, so I think the answer is:
Solution: Number = 5 or Number = -4. Both are valid.
I interpret the problem to imply the following equation:
10/(x-1) = x/2
Multiply both sides of the equation by 2(x-1), and we get this quadratic:
x^2 - x - 20 = 0. This can be factored as (x-5)(x+4) = 0, so the roots are x=5 and x=-4.
If I plug either of these numbers into the expression, the equation listed above holds true, so I think the answer is:
Solution: Number = 5 or Number = -4. Both are valid.