Expert: Scott A Wilson - 9/5/2009

Question
The equation is as follows: (x/2)-(5/2) < (x/3)+1
I am clear about getting like terms on each side but when it comes down to combining (x/2)-(x/3) < (17/6) I am confused! Please help me

Answer
First the denominator needs to be looked at.
There terms in the denominator are 2, 2, and 3.
The 1 has a denominator of 1, so it is not written.

The smallest number into which 2 and 3 can both divide evenly is 6.
This means the 1st thing to do is multiply by 6.
This gives 6(x/2) - 6(5/2) < 6(x/3) + 6*1.

Doing the multiplication gives us 3x - 15 < 2x + 6.
Adding 15 - 2x to both sides gives x < 21.