Support Course with Tracy Redden

Tracy Redden's support course.

1. A review of graphing lines, finding slope, and finding equations of lines from 2 points and a perpendicular line.

2. Review how to multiply and Factor all types of Polynomials.  I cover Common Factoring, Factor by grouping, Trinomial factoring, and difference and sum of cubes!

3. I show you how to solve all types of linear equations from  basic linear equations to more complicated ones with fractions and variables on both sides.  There are also the ones that end up with no solutions and all reals as a solution.

4. The first step into learning how to solve a quadratic is by factoring.  Here I show you how and explain why.

5. In addition we will look at the domains and restrictions of Rational Expressions.



6. How to Add and Subtract Rational Expressions.  I show you how to find common denominators so you can simplify.



7. How to simplify Complex Fractions.  I show you two different methods.



8. Solving quadratic equations.


... more to come soon.

Solving Rational Equations

Rational equations are simply equations with rational expressions in them.

How to Solve Rational Equations Playlist

Use the technique outlined earlier to clear the fractions of a rational equation.  After clearing the fractions, we will be left with either a linear or a quadratic equation that can be solved as usual.

   Step 1: Factor the denominators.
   Step 2: Identify the restrictions.
   Step 3: Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD.
   Step 4: Solve as usual.
   Step 5: Check answers against the set of restrictions.

This process sometimes produces answers that do not solve the original equation (extraneous solutions), so it is extremely important to check your answers.
Tip: It suffices to check that the answers are not restrictions to the domain of the original equation.

Solve.

Determining the LCD is often the most difficult part of the process. Use one of each factor found in all denominators.

Because of the distributive property, multiplying both sides of an equation by the LCD is equivalent to multiplying each term by that LCD as illustrated in the following examples.

Some literal equations, often referred to as formulas, are also rational equations. Use the techniques of this section and clear the fractions before solving for the particular variable.

Solve for the specified variable.

The reciprocal of a number is the number we obtain by dividing 1 by that number.

Word Problem: The reciprocal of the larger of two consecutive positive odd integers is subtracted from twice the reciprocal of the smaller and the result is 9/35. Find the two integers.

Video Examples on YouTube:

Dynamic Quiz - Solving Basic Linear Equations

Test your skills and answer 5 questions correctly.

Try this! Your score: 0/5

Solve for the given variable.

\(2x+3=13\)

5

\(x=\)

Push the Check button for feedback.

\(x=5\)

\(2x+3=13\)

Add \(-3\) to both sides.

\(2x=10\)

Divide both sides by \(2\).

\(x=5\)

Chapter 7 Sample Test Questions

Click here for a worksheet containing 20 sample test questions with answers.

[ Sample Test Questions Chapter 7 ]

 

Word Problems

Example: The sum of the reciprocals of two consecutive odd integers is 4/3. Set up an algebraic equation and use it to find the two integers.

Example: Norm can paint the office by himself in 5 hours.  Cliff could do the same job in 7 hours. If they work together, how long will it take them to paint the office?

Example: An executive went on an 8-hour business trip that required a 165-mile bus ride to the airport then another 2,750 miles by airplane.  If the airplane speed was 10 times that of the bus, what is was the average speed of the airplane?