x + 5 - 1/x = x - 7 + 1/x Bring x + 5 - 1/x together using the common denominator x. Bring x - 7 + 1/x together using the common denominator x: (x^2 + 5 x - 1)/x = (x^2 - 7 x + 1)/x Multiply both sides by x: x^2 + 5 x - 1 = x^2 - 7 x + 1 Subtract x^2 - 7 x + 1 from both sides: 12 x - 2 = 0 Factor constant terms from the left hand side: 2 (6 x - 1) = 0 Divide both sides by 2: 6 x - 1 = 0 Add 1 to both sides: 6 x = 1 Divide both sides by 6: Answer: x = 1/6