Thread: Help with solving linear equation

Problem: 1/3 + 1/9(k+5) - k/4 = 2

Question... When you multiply by 36 (LCD) to kill the fractions...

Why do you not multiply (k+5)?

I mean 36(1/3 + 1/9(k+5) - k/4) ... (k+5) is there... if you distribute 36 over... (k+5) would be affected. So why in the process of solving, would you not do that?

Ok... when you multiply by 36, you multiply BOTH sides. It doesn't matter whether (x+5) would be affected or not, just as long as you multiply both sides by 36. Therefore, 1/3 + 1/9(k+5) - k/4 = 2 would become 12+4(k+5)-9k = 72, and then you would expand.

Originally Posted by erj145aviator

Problem: 1/3 + 1/9(k+5) - k/4 = 2

Question... When you multiply by 36 (LCD) to kill the fractions...

Why do you not multiply (k+5)?

I mean 36(1/3 + 1/9(k+5) - k/4) ... (k+5) is there... if you distribute 36 over... (k+5) would be affected. So why in the process of solving, would you not do that?

Originally Posted by erj145aviator

Problem: 1/3 + 1/9(k+5) - k/4 = 2

Question... When you multiply by 36 (LCD) to kill the fractions...

Why do you not multiply (k+5)?

I mean 36(1/3 + 1/9(k+5) - k/4) ... (k+5) is there... if you distribute 36 over... (k+5) would be affected. So why in the process of solving, would you not do that?

As far as I know you don't multiply k+5 by 35 because of the distributive property. You are keeping proportion with the rest of the equation.