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5 votes
For what value of x would the expression

5x - 18/x - 7

A.-7

B.0

C. 1/7

D.7

User Tomasb
by
6.6k points

1 Answer

1 vote

Answer:

x = 7/10 + sqrt(409)/10 or x = 7/10 - sqrt(409)/10

Step-by-step explanation by completing the square:

Solve for x:

5 x - 7 - 18/x = 0

Bring 5 x - 7 - 18/x together using the common denominator x:

(5 x^2 - 7 x - 18)/x = 0

Multiply both sides by x:

5 x^2 - 7 x - 18 = 0

Divide both sides by 5:

x^2 - (7 x)/5 - 18/5 = 0

Add 18/5 to both sides:

x^2 - (7 x)/5 = 18/5

Add 49/100 to both sides:

x^2 - (7 x)/5 + 49/100 = 409/100

Write the left hand side as a square:

(x - 7/10)^2 = 409/100

Take the square root of both sides:

x - 7/10 = sqrt(409)/10 or x - 7/10 = -sqrt(409)/10

Add 7/10 to both sides:

x = 7/10 + sqrt(409)/10 or x - 7/10 = -sqrt(409)/10

Add 7/10 to both sides:

Answer: x = 7/10 + sqrt(409)/10 or x = 7/10 - sqrt(409)/10

User Cgf
by
7.3k points