# Math Help - Finding an unknown value

1. ## Finding an unknown value

Starting a new thread because I made a muck of the last attempt.

1 divided by u, + 1 divided by v, = 1 divided by f

I am required to find the value of V

If u = 4/5

If f = 2/3

V = !

4/5 - 2/3 = 2/15

2/15 = 3 x 2 = 6 = 2
..........3 x 5 15 5

so is my value V = 5?

I am not sure and think there must be another way to ensure the numerator is equal to 1

Thanks

David

2. ## Re: Finding an unknown value

For this problem you need to solve the equation for v.

Start by substituting the algebraic terms with the values provided, i.e. u = ${4}{5}$ and f = ${2}{3}$.

Therefore, the equation is as follows:

${1}{4/5} + {1}{v} = {1}{2/3}$

This becomes:

${5}{4} + {1}{v} = {3}{2}$ - because having '1' on top of a fraction inverts the fraction.

The equation is then solved as follows:

${5v}{4v} + {4}{4v} = {3}{2}$
${5v+4}{4v} = {3}{2}$
$10v+8 = 12v$
$8 = 2v$
$v = 4$

3. ## Re: Finding an unknown value

For this problem you need to solve the equation for v.

Start by substituting the algebraic terms with the values provided, i.e.
$u = 4/5$ and
$f = 2/3$.

Therefore, the equation is as follows:

${1}/{4}/{5} + 1/v = 1/2/3$

This becomes:

$5/4 + 1/v = 3/2$ - because having '1' on top of a fraction inverts the fraction.

The equation is then solved as follows:

$5v/4v + 4/4v = 3/2$
${5v+4}/{4v} = 3/2$
$10v+8 = 12v$
$8 = 2v$
$v = 4$

4. ## Re: Finding an unknown value

Originally Posted by David Green
1 divided by u, + 1 divided by v, = 1 divided by f

I am required to find the value of V

If u = 4/5

If f = 2/3
Your work is very "messy", David.

Equation is:
1/u + 1/v = 1/f ; isolate v term on left:
1/v = 1/f - 1/u ; substitute values:
1/v = 1/(2/3) - 1/(4/5) ; simplify
1/v = 3/2 - 5/4
1/v = 6/4 - 5/4
1/v = 1/4
v = 4