Solve the equation: (2x+3)/(x-4)-(2x-8)/(2x+1)=1

By solving this equation we are trying to find the value of x. First we must combine the two fractions into one by finding the common denominator. The least common denominator in this case is (x-4)(2x+1), i.e. multiplying the denominators of the two fractions, as there's no common factor. The numerator of each fraction must also be multiplied by the denominator of the other fraction, so we get ((2x+3)(2x+1)-(2x-8)(x-4))/((x-4)(2x+1))=1

Now we will expand the brackets and simplify, which results in (2x2+24x-29)/(2x2-7x-4)=1. We can multiply both sides of the equal sign by (2x2-7x-4), giving us 2x2+24x-29=2x2-7x-4, but as 2x2 is on both the left and right side these cancel out. Now we can move the -7x from the right side to the left side and change the sign, and the -29 from the left side to the right side and also change the sign of it, resulting in 24x+7x=-4+29, and therefore 31x=25. Dividing both sides by 31 we have now found the value of x.

x=25/31, which to 2 decimal places can be written as x=0.81.

EW
Answered by Erin W. Maths tutor

3762 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Line L1 passes through points (4,6) and (12,2). Line L2 passes through the origin and has gradient -3. The two lines intersect at point P. Find the co-ordinates of P.


Find the nth term in the series: 3, 7, 11, 15, 19


Sarah’s collection contains dresses, skirts and blouses. If the ratio of dresses to skirts is 7 to 4 and the ratio of skirts to blouses is 7 to 2, what is the ratio of dresses to blouses?


Nadia has £5 to buy pencils and rulers. Pencils are 8p each. Rulers are 30p each. She says “I will buy 15 pencils. Then I will buy as many rulers as possible. With my change I will buy more pencils.” How many pencils and how many rulers does she buy?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning