Algebra · real student question

Solve -1/x + 1 - m = -1 for x in terms of m.

Question

Solve for xx in terms of mm:

1x+1m=1-\frac{1}{x}+1-m=-1

Step-by-step solution

  1. Record the domain first. The term 1x\tfrac1x requires x0x\neq 0, and since 1x\tfrac1x can never be 00, the final formula must never evaluate to 00 either — a useful consistency check later.

  2. Isolate the reciprocal term. Subtract 11 from both sides, then add mm:

    1xm=21x=m2-\frac{1}{x}-m=-2\quad\Longrightarrow\quad -\frac{1}{x}=m-2

  3. Clear the leading minus sign. Multiply both sides by 1-1:

    1x=2m\frac{1}{x}=2-m

  4. Take reciprocals of both sides. This is legitimate provided neither side is zero:

    x=12mx=\frac{1}{2-m}

    and it never produces x=0x=0, consistent with the domain noted at the start.

  5. Identify the excluded parameter value and check. If m=2m=2 the equation becomes 1x=0\tfrac1x=0, which has no solution, so

    x=12m,m2x=\frac{1}{2-m},\qquad m\neq 2

    Test m=1m=1: then x=1x=1, and 1+11=1-1+1-1=-1 \checkmark. Test m=5m=5: then x=13x=-\tfrac13, and 3+15=13+1-5=-1 \checkmark.

Answer

x=12m,m2x=\frac{1}{2-m},\qquad m\neq 2

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