# [SOLVED] help!! how do you solve this linear equation

• Jul 17th 2009, 09:46 PM
icecreamfrk09
[SOLVED] help!! how do you solve this linear equation
x/4-5/8=x+3/16
• Jul 18th 2009, 12:25 AM
DeMath
We solve this equation as usual

$\frac{x}{4} - \frac{5}{8} = x + \frac{3}{{16}} \Leftrightarrow 4x - 10 = 16x + 3 \Leftrightarrow 12x = - 13 \Leftrightarrow x = - \frac{{13}}{{12}}.$
• Jul 18th 2009, 12:28 AM
yeongil
This is more of a Pre-Algebra/Algebra problem than a Pre-Calculus problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by icecreamfrk09
x/4-5/8=x+3/16

Please learn to type in LaTex, or at the very least, use parentheses. What you posted is vague. Do you mean what DeMath posted above, or do you mean this?

$\frac{x}{4} - \frac{5}{8} = \frac{x + 3}{16}$

If so, you're obviously going to get a different answer. Start by multiplying both sides by 16:

\begin{aligned}
4x - 10 &= x + 3 \\
3x &= 13 \\
x &= \frac{13}{3}
\end{aligned}

01
• Jul 18th 2009, 12:28 AM
mr fantastic
Quote:

Originally Posted by DeMath;339888 and edited by Mr F (see below)
We solve this equation as usual

$\frac{x}{4} - \frac{5}{8} = x + \frac{3}{{16}}$

Now multiply each side of this equation by 16:

$\Leftrightarrow 4x - 10 = 16x + 3 \Leftrightarrow 12x = - 13 \Leftrightarrow x = - \frac{{13}}{{12}}.$

Thought I'd just add a small bit of explanation.