Lesson 21

Rational Equations (Part 2)

  • Let’s write and solve some more rational equations.

Problem 1

Solve \(x-1 = \dfrac{x^2 - 4x + 3}{x+2}\) for \(x\).

Problem 2

Solve \(\frac{4}{4-x} = \frac{5}{4+x}\) for \(x\).

Problem 3

Show that the equation \(\frac{1}{60} = \frac{2x+50}{x(x+50)}\) is equivalent to \(x^2 - 70x - 3,\!000 = 0\) for all values of \(x\) not equal to 0 or -50. Explain each step as you rewrite the original equation.

Problem 4

Kiran jogs at a speed of 6 miles per hour when there are no hills. He plans to jog up a mountain road, which will cause his speed to decrease by \(r\) miles per hour. Which expression represents the time, \(t\), in hours it will take him to jog 8 miles up the mountain road?

A:

\(t=\frac{8-r}{6}\)

B:

\(t=\frac{8}{6+r}\)

C:

\(t=\frac{6+r}{8}\)

D:

\(t=\frac{8}{6-r}\)

Problem 5

The rational function \(g(x) = \frac{x+10}{x}\) can be rewritten in the form \(g(x) = c + \frac{r}{x}\), where \(c\) and \(r\) are constants. Which expression is the result?

A:

\(g(x)=x+\frac{10}{x}\)

B:

\(g(x)=1+\frac{10}{x}\)

C:

\(g(x)=x -\frac{10}{x+10}\)

D:

\(g(x)=1-\frac{1}{x+10}\)

(From Unit 2, Lesson 18.)

Problem 6

For each equation below, find the value(s) of \(x\) that make it true.

  1. \(10 = \frac{1+7x}{7+x}\)
  2. \(0.2=\frac{6+2x}{12+x}\)
  3. \(0.8= \frac{x}{0.5+x}\)
  4. \(3.5=\frac{4+2x}{0.5-x}\)
(From Unit 2, Lesson 20.)

Problem 7

A softball player has had 8 base hits out of 25 at bats for a current batting average of \(\frac{8}{25}=.320\).

How many consecutive base hits does she need if she wants to raise her batting average to .400? Explain or show your reasoning.

(From Unit 2, Lesson 20.)