How do you solve 7/(x+2)= 2/(x-5)?

1 Answer
Alan P.
May 2, 2016

x=39/5=7 4/5

Explanation:

Given
color(white)("XXX")7/(x+2)=2/(x-5)color(white)("XXX")note: this equation implies x!=-2 and x!=5

Multiply both sides by (x+2)(x-5) (sometimes this will be called "cross multiplying")
color(white)("XXX")7(x-5)=2(x+2)
simplify:
color(white)("XXX")7x-35=2x+4
subtract 2x from both sides and add 35 to both sides
color(white)("XXX")5x=39
divide both sides by 5
color(white)("XXX")x=39/5

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