1. ## Need help

The expression $\frac{5x}{6}+\frac{x}{4}$ is equivalent to..

How would i solve this problem?

2. Originally Posted by eh501
The expression $\frac{5x}{6}+\frac{x}{4}$ is equivalent to..

How would i solve this problem?
This expression can be equivalent to infinite number of expressions, what exactly do you mean?

3. Originally Posted by Peritus
This expression can be equivalent to infinite number of expressions, what exactly do you mean?
Well i know, but im basically just asking what to do, would i cross multiply or multiply denominator with denominator and etc.?

4. If you mean simplify the expression, then express the fractions so they have a common denominator and then add the numerators.

5. if you want to find the common denominator you can just multiply the denominators of the given fractions which would yield 24 thus:

$
\frac{{20x + 6x}}
{{24}} = \frac{{26x}}
{{24}}

$

but in this case a smaller common denominator can be found which is 12:

$
\frac{{10x + 3x}}
{{12}} = \frac{{13x}}
{{12}}
$

the same result could be obtained in the first method if we canel the highest common factor of 26 and 24 which is 2.

6. Ok i get what you mean by finding the common denominator but i dont get why $5x$ would be turned into $10x+3$ and $x$ would be turned into $13x$?

7. the lowest common denominator is 12 the denominator of 5x is 6 thus it has to be multiplied by 2 so that it will be 12 and so the nominator has to be also multiplied by 2, this is where 10x comes from. The denominator of the second fraction is 4 thus it has to be multiplied by 3 to get 12 and the nominator also has to be multiplied by by 3, this is where 3x comes from.

8. Ok i get it now, so it comes up to $\frac{13x}{12}$ right? why does have to be so darn complicated to solve a little question like this..