# Math Help - fractions again

1. ## fractions again

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

So the lowest common multiple is 6? As they both already have an x in them. So... $6\times\left(\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{3}\right)=\left( \frac{3}{2x}-1\right)\times6$

So then I have $\frac{6}{6x}+2=\frac{18}{12x}-6$

$x+2=\frac{3}{2x}-6$

is this correct so far? What next?

2. ## Re: fractions again

Nevermind I saw what I did wrong... fractions is stupidly difficult, so much messing around is needed to simple add or subtract a damn fraction...

3. ## Re: fractions again

Don't worry about it. There are any number of students out there who have a hard time with fractions. It seems to be a concept that is difficult to learn.

Why don't you post your solution? That way someone who is also having troubles can take a look at it.

-Dan

4. ## Re: fractions again

Originally Posted by topsquark
Don't worry about it. There are any number of students out there who have a hard time with fractions. It seems to be a concept that is difficult to learn.

Why don't you post your solution? That way someone who is also having troubles can take a look at it.

-Dan
It just takes me longer than most people to spot the "obvious" and sometimes I just get a complete mind blank and it's very frustrating. I even forget the most basic of things like $2$ is the same thing as $\frac{2}{1}$

anyway, my solution:

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

$6x\times\left(\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{3}\right)=\left (\frac{3}{2x}-1\right)\times6x$

$\frac{6x}{x}+2x=\frac{18x}{2x}-6x$

after cancellation:

$6+2x=9-6x$

$6-9=-6x-2x$

$8x=3$

$x=\frac{3}{8}$

This is what it's like for every question I have like this, I need to write down all the steps otherwise I just lose track of what is what, very annoying

5. ## Re: fractions again

Originally Posted by uperkurk
This is what it's like for every question I have like this, I need to write down all the steps otherwise I just lose track of what is what, very annoying
That's pretty much how everyone has to learn this stuff. You're doing good.

-Dan