Rational Equations Calculator
Cross-multiplying can hand you an answer the equation never allowed. Solve x/(x−3) = 3/(x−3) and the algebra gives x = 3 — but there both sides are undefined, so the answer is no solution. An answer thrown out like that is called extraneous, and spotting it is the whole difficulty of the topic.
That is what this rational equations calculator is built around. It writes the restrictions down first, then tests every candidate and strikes out the ones that fail, with the reason beside each. Two terms or three — pick the tab that matches your question.
Type the top and bottom of each fraction into its own box — no equation syntax to learn — and press =. The answer appears with the values x cannot take beneath it, and one tap opens the full working: the restrictions, the equation after the fractions are cleared, every candidate marked kept or thrown out, and the answer. Fractions, whole numbers and surds all come out exact, never rounded.