Problem
Introduction
Assuming no typing errors, this is a tricky Secondary 2 question
involving an equation with algebraic fractions.
How to solve it? How to present
the solution?
Solution
Remarks
[1]
Once the LHS expression has no meaning, it
would not even make sense to continue.
[2]
This is a proof by contradiction type of argument.
It turns out that not all algebraic equations are soluble (or solvable). This problem is one case in point. The
“unknown” m cannot be 5/2
because that would make the expression undefined. But if you substitute any other value, you
always end up with nonsense like “15 = 0”.
So no matter what, there is no
solution. In other words, there is
no value of m that you can substitute
into the equation that makes it a true statement.
H05. Work
backwards
H08. Make
suppositions
Suitable Levels
* Lower Secondary
Mathematics (Sec 2 ~ grade 8)
* GCE ‘O’ Level
“Elementary” Mathematics
* other syllabuses that involve algebra
* any learner who is interested in algebra
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