Solve (3x +1)/x + (2x-1)/3 = -3, giving x to two decimal places.
(3x+1)/x +(2x-1)/3 = (2x2 + 8x + 3)/3x by cross multiplying.
So equation becomes 2x2+ 8x + 3 = -9x by multiplying both sides by 3x. Adding 9x to both sides gives 2x2 + 17x + 3 = 0.
Using a calculator, and the determinant formula -b+-sqrt(b2 - 4ac)/2a; where a = 2, b = 17 and c = 3, we get x = -0.18 and -8.32, in two decimal places as required.
JA
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