Solve for X: Finding X in -1/4x + 8 = 3x - 1/2

Question

Solve for X:

14x+8=3x12 -\frac{1}{4}x+8=3x-\frac{1}{2}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve
00:04 We want to isolate the unknown X
00:23 Let's reduce what we can
00:36 Collect like terms
00:47 Isolate the unknown X
01:03 Let's reduce what we can
01:21 Multiply by the reciprocal fraction to isolate X
01:38 Make sure to multiply numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator
01:51 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the equation 14x+8=3x12 -\frac{1}{4}x + 8 = 3x - \frac{1}{2} , follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Remove fractions by multiplying every term by the least common multiple of the denominators, which is 4.
    This gives 4(14x)+4×8=4×3x4×12 4 \left(-\frac{1}{4}x\right) + 4 \times 8 = 4 \times 3x - 4 \times \frac{1}{2} , simplifying to x+32=12x2-x + 32 = 12x - 2.
  • Step 2: Move all terms involving x x to one side by adding x x to both sides.
    This gives 32=13x2 32 = 13x - 2.
  • Step 3: Isolate x x by moving the constant to the other side: Add 2 to both sides to obtain 32+2=13x 32 + 2 = 13x , simplifying to 34=13x 34 = 13x .
  • Step 4: Solve for x x by dividing both sides by 13, leading to x=3413 x = \frac{34}{13} .
  • Step 5: Simplify the fraction if possible. Here, 3413 \frac{34}{13} is already in its simplest form. Converting to a mixed number, we get 2813 2\frac{8}{13} .

Therefore, the solution to the equation is x=2813 x = 2\frac{8}{13} .

Answer

2813 2\frac{8}{13}