How do you solve #\frac { 8} { x - 5} = \frac { 6} { x + 9}#?

1 Answer
May 15, 2017

Cross multiplication, then solve.
Answer: #x=-51#

Explanation:

Solve #8/(x-5)=6/(x+9)#

First, we can cross multiply to get the variables out of the denominators:
#8(x+9)=6(x-5)#

We can use the distributive property:
#8x+72=6x-30#

Now, we subtract #6x# from both sides and subtract #72# from both sides and simplify:
#8x+72-6x-72=6x-30-6x-72#
#2x=-102#

Finally, we divide both sides by #2# to isolate the #x#:
#x=-51#