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How many extraneous solutions does the equation below have?

[tex]\[ \frac{2m}{2m+3} - \frac{2m}{2m-3} = 1 \][/tex]

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3

Sagot :

To solve the equation [tex]\(\frac{2m}{2m + 3} - \frac{2m}{2m - 3} = 1\)[/tex] and determine the number of extraneous solutions, let's go through a step-by-step process.

### Step 1: Combine the Fractions
First, let's combine the fractions on the left-hand side of the equation:
[tex]\[ \frac{2m}{2m + 3} - \frac{2m}{2m - 3} \][/tex]

To combine these fractions, we'll need a common denominator, which is [tex]\((2m + 3)(2m - 3)\)[/tex].

[tex]\[ \frac{2m(2m - 3) - 2m(2m + 3)}{(2m + 3)(2m - 3)} \][/tex]

### Step 2: Simplify the Numerator
Now, let's expand and simplify the numerator:
[tex]\[ 2m(2m - 3) - 2m(2m + 3) = 4m^2 - 6m - (4m^2 + 6m) \][/tex]

Combine like terms in the numerator:
[tex]\[ 4m^2 - 6m - 4m^2 - 6m = -12m \][/tex]

So the combined fraction is:
[tex]\[ \frac{-12m}{(2m + 3)(2m - 3)} \][/tex]

### Step 3: Solve the Equation
The equation now reads:
[tex]\[ \frac{-12m}{(2m + 3)(2m - 3)} = 1 \][/tex]

Multiply both sides by [tex]\((2m + 3)(2m - 3)\)[/tex] to clear the fraction:
[tex]\[ -12m = (2m + 3)(2m - 3) \][/tex]

Recognize that [tex]\((2m + 3)(2m - 3)\)[/tex] is a difference of squares:
[tex]\[ (2m + 3)(2m - 3) = 4m^2 - 9 \][/tex]

So the equation becomes:
[tex]\[ -12m = 4m^2 - 9 \][/tex]

### Step 4: Rearrange and Solve the Quadratic Equation
Rearrange the equation to standard quadratic form:
[tex]\[ 4m^2 - 12m - 9 = 0 \][/tex]

Using the quadratic formula [tex]\(m = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\)[/tex] where [tex]\(a = 4\)[/tex], [tex]\(b = -12\)[/tex], and [tex]\(c = -9\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ m = \frac{12 \pm \sqrt{(-12)^2 - 4 \cdot 4 \cdot (-9)}}{2 \cdot 4} \][/tex]

Calculate the discriminant:
[tex]\[ \Delta = 144 + 144 = 288 \][/tex]

So:
[tex]\[ m = \frac{12 \pm \sqrt{288}}{8} \][/tex]

Simplify [tex]\(\sqrt{288}\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \sqrt{288} = \sqrt{144 \cdot 2} = 12\sqrt{2} \][/tex]

Thus:
[tex]\[ m = \frac{12 \pm 12\sqrt{2}}{8} = \frac{12(1 \pm \sqrt{2})}{8} = \frac{3(1 \pm \sqrt{2})}{2} \][/tex]

The solutions are:
[tex]\[ m = \frac{3(1 + \sqrt{2})}{2} \quad \text{and} \quad m = \frac{3(1 - \sqrt{2})}{2} \][/tex]

### Step 5: Check for Extraneous Solutions
We must ensure that neither solution makes the original denominators zero. We originally stated:
[tex]\[ 2m + 3 = 0 \quad \text{or} \quad 2m - 3 = 0 \][/tex]

1. For [tex]\(m = \frac{3(1 + \sqrt{2})}{2}\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 2m = 3(1+\sqrt{2}) \quad \Rightarrow \quad 2m + 3 = 3(1+\sqrt{2}) + 3 \neq 0 \quad \text{and} \quad 2m - 3 = 3(1+\sqrt{2}) - 3 \neq 0 \][/tex]

2. For [tex]\(m = \frac{3(1 - \sqrt{2})}{2}\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 2m = 3(1-\sqrt{2}) \quad \Rightarrow \quad 2m + 3 = 3(1-\sqrt{2}) + 3 \neq 0 \quad \text{and} \quad 2m - 3 = 3(1-\sqrt{2}) - 3 \neq 0 \][/tex]

### Conclusion
Since neither solution makes the denominator zero, there are no extraneous solutions.

Final Answer:
[tex]\[ 0 \][/tex]