# Easy Math Question - Just need to explain it to me.

• December 3rd 2010, 05:32 PM
Johnathon324
Easy Math Question - Just need to explain it to me.
What strategies can be used to solve and equation algebraically?

Use 5x - 12 = 4 - 3x and 3/4x + 10 = 7 as an example.

• December 3rd 2010, 06:22 PM
elemental
Step 1: Group variables on one side, constants on the other.

Step 2: "Normalize" variables (in other words, multiply both sides by a factor such that the coefficient of the variable becomes 1).

Example: $\frac{2}{3}x - 1 = 2$

Step 1: $\frac{2}{3}x = 3$

Step 2: $\frac{2}{3}x*(\frac{3}{2}) = 3*(\frac{3}{2})$

Answer: $x = \frac{9}{2}$

• December 3rd 2010, 06:23 PM
Wilmer
Well, even if you can't "explain", can you solve each of those ?

Can you solve this one for x: 2x + 3 = 7
• December 4th 2010, 10:11 AM
Johnathon324
So what would be the answer to 3/4x + 10 = 12

I don't get hot to solve fractions...Please describe step by step
• December 4th 2010, 10:14 AM
e^(i*pi)
Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnathon324
So what would be the answer to 3/4x + 10 = 12

I don't get hot to solve fractions...Please describe step by step

You can always multiply through by the LCD of the equation (in this case 4) to clear the fraction

$\dfrac{3}{4}x + 10 = 12$ is equivalent to $3x+40=48$

Then continue as normal
• December 4th 2010, 10:22 AM
Johnathon324
So lets say I want to check this equation? What should I do? Solve it basically and work backwards? How can I explain than in this essay?
• December 4th 2010, 10:27 AM
Wilmer
Not sure what to tell you; if you're writing an "essay" on solving,
seems to me you should already know HOW to solve; have you
not attended math classes?
• December 4th 2010, 10:29 AM
Johnathon324
I can only show what I do; she said that no numbers or equations should be in the essay. So I have to work around it...
• December 4th 2010, 10:32 AM
Johnathon324
Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnathon324
I can only show what I do; she said that no numbers or equations should be in the essay. So I have to work around it...

Never mind I found a way to describe it - Thx though.