# Math Help - basic problem

1. ## basic problem

x=5-.5(5-.5x)

The text tells me the answer is 10/3 but I just get 10. I'm a fourth year business student and I can't get this, pretty embarrassing. It's part of a bigger managerial economics problem.

2. Originally Posted by moneynesy
x=5-.5(5-.5x)

The text tells me the answer is 10/3 but I just get 10. I'm a fourth year business student and I can't get this, pretty embarrassing. It's part of a bigger managerial economics problem.

$x=5-\frac{1}{2}(5-\frac{1}{2}x)$

$\Rightarrow x=5-(\frac{5}{2}-\frac{1}{4}x)$

$\Rightarrow x=5-\frac{5}{2}+\frac{1}{4}x\ \$ Distribute the $-1$ (I'm gonna guess this is where you made your mistake)

$\Rightarrow x=\frac{5}{2}+\frac{1}{4}x$

$\Rightarrow x-\frac{1}{4}x=\frac{5}{2}$

$\Rightarrow x(1-\frac{1}{4})=\frac{5}{2}$

$\Rightarrow \frac{3}{4}x=\frac{5}{2}$

$\Rightarrow x=\frac{5}{2}\cdot \frac{4}{3} = \frac{10}{3}$

3. I need to find x

4. haha thank you sir

5. Originally Posted by moneynesy
haha thank you sir
Anytime.