Strategy for Solving Equations with Rational Expressions

Step 1.  Simplify both expressions as much as possible.

Step 2.  Determine the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD) for all terms.

Step 3.  Use the Multiplication Property of Equality to multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD.

Step 4.  Simplify both expressions as much as possible.

At this point, we have reduced the problem to solving a polynomial equation.