Solve the Fraction Equation: -1/2 + (1/3)x = 1/5 + x

Question

Solve for x:

12+13x=15+x -\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}x=\frac{1}{5}+x

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Find X
00:04 Arrange the equation so that X is isolated on one side
00:29 Combine like terms
00:34 Find the common denominator and multiply accordingly
00:49 Convert from mixed number to fraction
00:55 Isolate X by multiplying by the reciprocal fraction
01:03 Make sure to multiply numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator
01:09 And this is the solution to the problem

Step-by-Step Solution

We will move the elements with the X to the left side and the elements without the X to the right side, changing the plus and minus signs accordingly.

First, we move the minus X to the left section:

12+13x+x=15 -\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}x+x=\frac{1}{5}

Now we move the minus 1/2 to the right section:

13x+x=15+12 \frac{1}{3}x+x=\frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{2}

We will find a common denominator for the fractions on the right side and reduce accordingly. Convert the mixed fraction on the left side into a simple fraction:

113x=2+510 1\frac{1}{3}x=\frac{2+5}{10}

43x=710 \frac{4}{3}x=\frac{7}{10}

Multiply by34 \frac{3}{4} to reduce the left side:

x=710×34=7×310×4=2140 x=\frac{7}{10}\times\frac{3}{4}=\frac{7\times3}{10\times4}=\frac{21}{40}

Answer

2140 \frac{21}{40}