356 alGEbra De mystif ieD

10 (for decimals) or the LCD (fractions) can make the nonzero side of the

equation easier to factor.

0.1x^2 − 1.5x + 5.6 = 0

Multiplying both sides of the equation by 10 clears the decimal.

10 (. 01 xx^2 −+ 15 .. 56 )(= 100 )

10 (. 01 xx^2 )(−+ 1015 .) 10 (. 56 )= 0

xx

xx

(^215560)
870
−+=
()−−()=
x
x
−=
++

80
88
8
x
x
−=
++

70
77
7
Solve the equation by factoring.
3
4
1
2
1
4
xx^2 +−= 0
We clear the fraction by multiplying both sides of the equation by 4
(the LCD).
4 3
4
1
2
1
4
40
4 3
4
41
2
4
2
2
xx
xx
 +−









• 
  

  
  
  
  
  −
  ()
  11
  4
  0
  3210
  3110
  2
  
  
  
  

  
  

  +−=
  −+=
  xx
  ()xx()
  31010
  11 11
  31
  xx
  x
  −= +=
  ++ −−

  
  

  x
  x
  =−

  
  

  1
  1
  3