Expert: Bobby Soltani - 9/2/2004

Question
can you solve this equation?
3 + 7 = 9
----------    I tried to write the fraction best
x   1   2x     I could.

thanks allie


Answer
Hi Allie,

I hope this is what you mean.

(3/x) + (7/12x) = 9

you want the denominator (the bottom) of both fractions to be the same, so multiply the top and bottom of the first fraction by 12.

(36/12x) + (7/12x) = 9

now we can combine the numberators and put them over our common denominator.

43/(12x) = 9
multiply both sides by 12x
43 = 108x
divide both sides by 108.
x = 43/108

I hope this helps.  Let me know if the problem was supposed to be something else.  Good luck.

Bobby