Solve for X: -1/4 + x = -1/2x Linear Equation Challenge

Question

Solve for X:

14+x=12x -\frac{1}{4}+x=-\frac{1}{2}x

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve
00:04 Isolate the unknown X
00:14 Simplify what's possible
00:31 Continue to isolate the unknown X
00:47 Negative times negative always equals positive
00:56 Be careful to multiply numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator
00:59 Simplify what's possible
01:05 Factor 12 into 6 and 2
01:11 Simplify what's possible
01:16 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the equation 14+x=12x-\frac{1}{4} + x = -\frac{1}{2}x, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Begin by moving the terms involving xx to one side of the equation. We can do this by adding 12x\frac{1}{2}x to both sides. This gives:
    14+x+12x=0-\frac{1}{4} + x + \frac{1}{2}x = 0
  • Step 2: Recognize that x+12xx + \frac{1}{2}x can be combined into a single term:\br 14+32x=0-\frac{1}{4} + \frac{3}{2}x = 0
  • Step 3: Isolate 32x\frac{3}{2}x by adding 14\frac{1}{4} to both sides, resulting in:
    32x=14\frac{3}{2}x = \frac{1}{4}
  • Step 4: Solve for xx by multiplying both sides by 23\frac{2}{3}, which is the reciprocal of 32\frac{3}{2}:
    x=1423x = \frac{1}{4} \cdot \frac{2}{3}
  • Step 5: Simplify the multiplication on the right side:
    x=212=16x = \frac{2}{12} = \frac{1}{6}

Thus, the solution to the equation is x=16 x = \frac{1}{6} .

Answer

16 \frac{1}{6}