Show all work simplifying 1/x + 3/8 = 1/2 USE COMPLETE SENTENCES TO EXPLAIN HOW TO DO THIS?

Question

Show all work simplifying 1/x + 3/8 = 1/2 USE COMPLETE SENTENCES TO EXPLAIN HOW TO DO THIS?

Answer 1

Actually, Angela, we solve equations, but let's see what we can do. There are different ways to solve this, but let's do it this way:

 

1/x + 3/8 = 1/2

 

We always want what has the variable by itself on one side, so let's subtract 3/8 from both sides.

 

1/x = 1/2 - 3/8.

 

We need to find a common denominator for the left side. The LCM of 2 and 8 is 8.

 

1/x = 4/8 - 3/8

 

1/x = 1/8

 

From here, you should be able to tell that x = 8, because 1/8 = 1/8.

 

If not, then we need to multiply both sides by x, because the left side is divided by x.

 

1 = (1/8)x

 

Now, we have to divide by 1/8 to get x by itself.  1 ÷ 1/8 = 1 x 8/1 = 8/1 = 8.

 

8 = x

 

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Hi, 

 

You can also 

1. find the least common denominator for the left-hand side fraction. This brings you to 8/8x + 3x/8x = 1/2

2. Add the numerator on the left-hand side of this equation, (8+3x)/8x = 1/2

3. Multiply both sides by 2, that will lead you to (8+3x)/4x =1/1 

4. Multiply both sides by 4x, we get 8+3x=4x

5. Finally, subtracting 3x from both sides simplifies the equation to x=8. Note that this is as simple as this expression can get so you can not go any further, therefore 1/x+3/8=1/2 simplifies to x=8.

Answer 3

To solve: 1/x + 3/8 = 1/2

 

First, bring all the "x" and "non x" terms on the same side 

 

1/x = 1/2 - 3/8 

 

Take the Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) of the denominators of the fractions on the right hand side and perform the subtraction

 

1/x = (4-3) / 8

 

or 1/x = 1/8

 

Now, take the reciprocal of both sides to get the value of x 

 

Solution: x = 8