how do you solve this algebra equation problem?

Howdy & I sure hope all is well. :) As for your question:

X/(X + 1) = -- 3 -- 1/(X + 1)

First of all, you don't cross-multiply, because the expression isn't in the form of a/b = c/d. In your question, the 3 is added to the fraction.

So the first thing to do is to multiply both sides of the equation by (X + 1), so as to eliminate the fractions. (Both sides so as to preserve the equation's equality!) We get:

(X + 1)*[X/(X + 1)] = -- 3*(X + 1) -- (X + 1)*[1/(X + 1)]

Simplifying yields:

X = -- 3X -- 3 -- 1

Simplifying further yields:

X = -- 3X -- 4

Next, we add 3X to both sides of the equation, so as to isolate the X-terms on one side of the equation. We get:

X + 3X = 3X -- 3X -- 4

Simplifying yields:

4X = -- 4

Finally, we divide both sides of the equation by 4. We get:

4X/4 = -- 4/4

Simplifying yields:

X = -- 1

I sure hope that was as clear & as helpful as you needed it to be. :) Good luck, take care & have a great day. :)

Cheers! :)

Yes you have to cross-multiply.

I get a quadratic...

x(x+1) = -4(x+1)
x^2 + x = -4x - 4
x^ +5x +4 = 0

(x +1)(x +4) = 0

x = -1 or x = -4.

1) (2+X) +X=26 X=12 Sue is 12 years old. 2) 4X=80 X=20 Tokyo's annual snowfall is 20 cm.

x/(x + 1) = (-3 - 1)/(x + 1)
x = -3 - 1
x = -4

This can't be a linear equation, because there aren't two variables.

Yeah, when you crossmultiply, you will get
x^2 + 5x + 4 = 0
so, x = -4, -1

Yes, cross-multiplying could work.

Since the denominators are the same you can just take them out. Your equation becomes x = (-3)-1 or x = -4

Using brackets to clarify :-
x / (x + 1) = - 3 - 1 / (x + 1)
x = - 3 (x + 1) - 1
x = - 3x - 3 - 1
4x = - 4
x = - 1