Stepwise
Start practisingPractise

WAEC 2022 · Paper 1 · Q8

Given that 8x+mx2−3x−4≡5x+1+3x−4\dfrac{8x + m}{x^2 - 3x - 4} \equiv \dfrac{5}{x + 1} + \dfrac{3}{x - 4}, find the value of mm.

Worked solution (try it first)
  1. The denominator factorises as x2−3x−4=(x+1)(x−4)x^2 - 3x - 4 = (x + 1)(x - 4).
  2. Add the fractions on the right: the top is 5(x−4)+3(x+1)5(x - 4) + 3(x + 1), which is 8x−178x - 17.
  3. Match the tops: 8x+m≡8x−178x + m \equiv 8x - 17, so m=−17m = -17, option C.

Report a problem with this question