7.6 Rational Expressions - Proportions（7.6合理表达式比例）.pdf

7.6 Rational Expressions - Proportions Objective: Solve proportions using the cross product and use propor- tions to solve application problems When two fractions are equal, they are called a proportion. This definition can be generalized to two equal rational expressions. Proportions have an important property called the cross-product. a c Cross Product: If = then ad = bc b d The cross product tells us we can multiply diagonally to get an equation with no fractions that we can solve. Example 1. 20 x = Calculate cross product 6 9 (20)(9)= 6x Multiply 180 = 6x Divide both sides by 6 6 6 30 = x Our Solution World View Note: The first clear definition of a proportion and the notation for a proportion came from the German Leibniz who wrote, “I write dy: x = dt: a; for dy is to x as dt is to a, is indeed the same as, dy divided by x is equal to dt 1 divided by a. From this equation follow then all the rules of proportion.” If the proportion has more than one term in either numerator or denominator, we will have to distribute while calculating the cross product. Example 2. x + 3 2 = Calculate cross product 4 5 5(x +3)= (4)(2) Multiply and distribute 5x + 15 =8 Solve − 15 − 15 Subtract 15 from both sides 5x = − 7 Divide