Short Answer

Evaluating an Extraneous Solution in Inventory Management

An inventory management system uses a formula modeled by the rational equation 5x2+2x33x2+x2=1x2+5x+6\frac{5}{x^2+2x-3} - \frac{3}{x^2+x-2} = \frac{1}{x^2+5x+6} to determine certain restock thresholds. A supply chain analyst works through the algebraic steps and finds that the only possible numerical value is x=2x = -2. However, the analyst recalls that substituting x=2x = -2 back into the original equation causes two of the denominators to equal zero. Based on recalling the rules for restricted values, what is the final valid solution to this equation?

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Updated 2026-06-01

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