Help Solving Linear Eq

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September 21st 2010, 05:43 PM
quarinteen

Help Solving Linear Eq

I need help and instructions for solving this problem. If you could list the steps so I understand it would be appreciated.

-7/8c +5.6 = -5/8c - 3.3
September 21st 2010, 07:16 PM
quarinteen

ok i got that one now im stuck again x-1/2 +x-2/2 =3
September 21st 2010, 07:39 PM
Wilmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by quarinteen

ok i got that one now im stuck again x-1/2 +x-2/2 =3

Did you mean (x-1)/2 + (x-2)/2 = 3? Brackets are IMPORTANT.
September 21st 2010, 08:10 PM
quarinteen

x - 1 over 2 + x - 2 over 2 = 3
September 21st 2010, 08:23 PM
Educated

Is it:

$\dfrac{x-1}{2} + \dfrac{x-2}{2} = 3$

If it is, then you can multiply everything by 2 to get rid of the fractions.

Or is it:

$\dfrac{\frac{x-1}{2 + x-2}}{2} = 3$

If it is, you can cancel out the +2 and minus 2 in the middle. Then multiply everything to get rid of the first fraction. Then multiply everything by x to get rid of the other fraction.

EDIT: Nevermind about the x's and c's.
September 21st 2010, 08:31 PM
quarinteen

its the top one. I dont know how to do the signs on the computer. Can you write out the steps for me so I understand it. Thank you very much.
September 21st 2010, 08:35 PM
Educated

It is called LaTeX

Here's a link to the tutorial: LaTeX tutorial

I have told you how to solve it. Multiply everything by 2 to get rid of the fractions. After that, group similar terms and solve for x. Can you solve x yourself?
September 21st 2010, 08:44 PM
quarinteen

I multiplied every thing by 2 i get a answer different then the book gives as an answer. I get

2x -2 + 2x - 4 = 6
4x - 6 = 3
4x = 9
x = 9 / 4

but the answer is 9/2
September 21st 2010, 08:48 PM
Educated

$\dfrac{x-1}{2} + \dfrac{x-2}{2} = 3$

OK here's a hint: When you multiply the fraction by its denominator, in this case it is 2, you effectively cancel it out.

Example:

$\dfrac{a+b}{c} \times c = a+b$

Do you get it?
September 21st 2010, 08:55 PM
quarinteen

No i don't get it. Can you please put out the steps. I am not in school I haven't been for a while. I was attempting to help a friend got to this problem and its bugging me. I just want to know the steps so I can understand. Unfortunately to say I graduated college already im in information security and never use math. My math skills have completely disappeared. Like I said this is just bugging the living daylights out of me...
September 21st 2010, 09:02 PM
Educated

Here's a way that I hope you understand:

$\dfrac{x-1}{2}$ is the same as $(x-1) \div 2$ Correct?

We multiply it by 2. This will make it become: $(x-1) \div 2 \times 2$

Now can you see how they cancel eachother out? The multiply by 2 undoes the divided by 2, thus leaving only x-1.

Do you know how to solve it now?