To simplify the given expression and obtain the answer in mixed number form, we can follow these steps:
Step 1: Distribute the fractions
6th grade
Recall the distributive property, which states that when a fraction is multiplied by a sum or difference inside parentheses, the fraction should be multiplied by each term individually. Applying this property, we can distribute the fractions as follows:
1/2(x + 4) + 1/4(4x - 2)
= (1/2 * x) + (1/2 * 4) + (1/4 * 4x) + (1/4 * -2)
Step 2: Simplify the expressions
6th grade
Now let's simplify each term:
(1/2 * x) simplifies to 1/2x
(1/2 * 4) simplifies to 2
(1/4 * 4x) simplifies to x
(1/4 * -2) simplifies to -1/2
Step 3: Combine like terms
7th grade
Combine the like terms by adding or subtracting them:
1/2x + 2 + x - 1/2
Step 4: Add or subtract the like terms
7th grade
Combine the like terms:
1/2x + x + 2 - 1/2
To add fractions with different denominators, we need to find a common denominator. In this case, the least common denominator (LCD) of 2 and 1 is 2.
Step 5: Express the fractions with a common denominator
6th grade
To do this, we multiply the numerator and denominator of each fraction by the same value that will make the denominator equal to 2. In this case, we need to multiply the first fraction by 2/2 and the second fraction by 1/1.
1/2x + 2/1 + 2x/2 - 1/2
Step 6: Simplify the expression
7th grade
Simplify the resulting fractions:
1/2x + 2 + x - 1/2
Step 7: Combine like terms
6th grade
Combine the like terms by adding or subtracting them:
1/2x + x + 2 - 1/2
Step 8: Add or subtract the like terms
7th grade
Combine the like terms:
(1/2 + 2) x + (x - 1/2)
= 5/2x + (2x - 1/2)
Step 9: Express the mixed number form
7th grade
To express the answer in mixed number form, we need to convert the improper fraction 5/2 to a mixed number. Divide the numerator (5) by the denominator (2): 5 รท 2 = 2 with a remainder of 1. This gives us the mixed number 2 1/2.
Therefore, the answer, in mixed number form, is 2 1/2x + (2x - 1/2).