Stephanie G. answered • 04/21/23
Friendly and patient tutor with over 10 years of experience
Hello Houssey D.,
Thanks for submitting your problem. Since it is not quite clear on what you are being asked to simply, I will assume both scenarios and give an answer for both:
i. (3/5)x + x
Can both be combined? Yes and simplified. You have a fraction as a coefficient and a whole number. To combine without using a calculator, you have to change the coefficient of x to match the fractional coefficient: (3/5)x + (1)x = (3/5)x + (5/5/)x = [(3+5)/5]x = (8/5)x
ii. 3/(5x) + x
Can both be combined? Yes but not simplified. You have a fraction as a coefficient and a whole number. To combine without using a calculator, you have to change the coefficient of x to match the fractional coefficient: 3/5x + x = 3/5x + 1x = 3/5x + 5x*x/5x = (3+5x*x)/5x = 3+5x2/5x
Hope this helps.
-Stephanie G.
