12/x^2 - 17/x =5
you need to get a common denominator, which is X^2. So leave 12/X^2 alone, but multiply 17/X by X to get X^2 on the bottom. That will give you...
(12- 17x)/ X^2 =5
To eliminate the X^2 from the denominator, multiply both sides of the equation by x^2. which will give you
12 - 17x = 5x^2
Subtract 5x^2 and you get..... -5X^2 - 17x +12 = 0 when written in descending order, now you can factor.....
(-5x+3)(x+4) = 0 Set both equal to zero. x-4=0 soo X= - 4
-5x+3=0 X = 3/5