m+5/2+1/4=3m-1/8

Question

How do you solve this?

Answer 1

Hey Tammy -- multiply by 8 to rid fractions ... 8m +20 +2 = 24m -1 ... put "minus terms on other side" ... 8m +22 +1 = 24m ... 23 = 16m => m= 23/16 ... cut in half 4 times ... 11.5, 5.75, 2.875, 1.4375 :)

 

 

 

 

 

Answer 2

Hi Tammy;

I love these types of questions.  Thank you for this opportunity.

 

The m is the unknown.  You need to isolate it.

Here is the question...

m+5/2+1/4=3m-1/8

 

First, I would move the negative 1/8 from the right side to the left.

 

m+5/2+1/4+1/8=3m

 

It is now a positive number.

 

Then, I would move the positive m from the left side to the right...

 

5/2+1/4+1/8=3m-m

 

The m is now a negative number.

3m-m=2m

 

Then, I would perform the arithmetic.  The easiest way to do this is as follows...

5/2 = 2.5

1/4 = 0.25

1/8 = 0.125

 

This equals

2.875

 

The equation is now...

2.875=2m

 

The m is not yet isolated because of the 2 on the right side.

We must move this to the left side.  It is no longer 2, but rather 1/2.  It will NOT NOT NOT change from positive to negative because it is not being added or subtracted.  Rather, it is initially being multiplied.  It is now a dividing factor.

2.875/2=m

 

Because the unknown should always be on the left, we will perform the following...

-m=-2.875/2

 

Because both sides are negative, we can change these to positive...

m=2.875/2

 

m=1.4375

 

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?  I LOVE MATH!