A bit of math help please?

Question

Here is the problem:
(x+2)/3 + (x-5)/4 = 3.5

I'm not asking for a solution, just a bit of help for the beginning. I cannot remember how to deal with the (x+2)/3. I know that I have to multiply it, but I can't remember what I do once I multiply it. Say I were to multiply it by 6.. do I then write it out as (6x+3)/2 ? See this is the part where I get confused. I don't remember if I just multiply it straight across and come out with (6x+12)/18 or what I had in the first place. I hope you all can understand what I'm trying to ask assistance for; it's a bit hard to explain something that I do not fully understand myself. Thanks in advance. :)

Thank you all for your responses. Now I see how to do it, I can't believe I forgot how to (lol). Thanks all again, you saved me from going insane from math =P

Answer 1

Look at your two denominators -- 3 and 4. Multiply both sides of the equation by 12 to get rid of these denominators.

You would get the following:

12(x+2)/3 + 12(x-5)/4 = 12(3.5)

which simplifies to:

4(x+2) + 3(x-5) = 42

So now you can just multiply everything out on the left hand side and combine like terms to solve for x.

Hope that helped!

~ ♥ ~

Answer 2

(x+2)/3 + (x-5)/4 = 3.5

All right. A good bet here would be to clear out those nasty fractions. To do that, you can use the least common multiple of 3 and 4, since that number will get rid of both fractions at once. Since 3*4=12, let's multiply through on both sides by 12.

12(x+2)/3 + 12(x-5)/4 = 3.5

You'd then simplify the fraction. 12/3 is 4, and 12/4 is 3, so:

4(x+2) + 3(x-5) = 3.5

Then you would distribute the coefficients, and solve.

Answer 3

Multiply x+2/3 by 4. Multiply x-5/4 by 3. That will give 12 as the common denominator. Add the fractions and solve.

Answer 4

(x+2)/3 + (x-5)/4 = 3.5

The LCD of the fractions is 12. If you multiply both sides of the equation by 12, the fractions will be cleared. For example,

12(x + 2)/3 = 4(x + 2) = 4x + 8

Answer 5

What I'd do in this situation is multiply both sides by 12.

That'd give you:

12 (x+2)/3 + 12 (x-5)/4 = 12 (3.5)
4(x+2) + 3(x-5) = 42
4x + 8 + 3x -15 = 42

That's the easiest way to get rid of the annoying fractions, and be left with whole numbers to resolve.

Answer 6

ok i think i know what youre talking about, you'll have to tell me if this helps. you need to get rid of your fractions. so multiply the whole equation by 12 so you can get rid of your 3 and 4. so then you have 4(x+2)+3(x-5)=12(3.5) now you can solve the equation normally. i hope you understand what i did. if you dont, feel free to email me and ask. if all else fails i can give you the answer.

Answer 7

One way >
x/3 + 2/3 + x/4 - 5/4 = 3.5

x/3 + x/4 = 3.5 - 2/3 + 5/4 =

4x/12 + 3x/12 = 3 1/2 - 2/3 + 5/4

Answer 8

multiply the whole expression with twelve as it is an expression which will remove both deminators. The rest left that is 4(*****) and 3(******) = **** into 12. and its done!!! just multiply each term by 12

Answer 9

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Answer 10

There are many ways to solve that
The easier for me is to get togheter the terms like these:

4(x+2) + 3(x-5) = 3.5
-------------------
12

Now you just simplify the expression...

4x + 8 + 3x - 15 = 12 (3.5)

7x - 7 = 42

7x = 49

x = 7