2/3x+5=3/4x

Question

Please solve and explain steps. Thank you.

Answer 1

America,

 

You have to use parentheses to remove ambiguity.  Then follow what I said in your preceding problem.

Is your equation:

(a)     (2/3)x + 5 = (3/4)x ?   Then (2/3 - 3/4)x = -5  and (8/12 - 9/12)x = -5  so -(1/12)x = - 5

         and x = +60

Or

(b)     2/(3x) + 5 = 3/(4x) ?  In which case multiply each term on both sides of the = sign by 12x to clear the denominators.

        Then,  8 + 60x = 9   and 60x = 9 - 8 = 1   so 

               x = +1/60

 

You get different correct answers depending on how the problem is stated. So use parentheses to make yourself clear.