Chapter 4
Rooting Out the Rational, Radical, and Negative
IN THIS CHAPTER
Working through rational equations
Dealing with radicals in equations
Flipping and factoring negative exponents
Combining and factoring fractional exponents
Solving an algebraic equation requires some know-how. You need the basic mathematical tools, and you need to know what is and isn’t allowed. You don’t want to take a perfectly good equation and change it into drivel. You need a game plan to solve equations with fractions, radicals, and negative or fractional exponents — one that involves careful planning and a final check of your answers. In this chapter, you find out how to tackle equations by changing them into new equations that are more familiar and easier to solve. You also see a recurring theme of check your answers, because changing equations into different forms can introduce mysterious strangers into the mix — in the form of false answers.
Acting Rationally with Fraction-Filled Equations
A rational term in an equation is a fraction, and an equation with one or more terms, some of which are rational, ...
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