Or, eliminating fractions, I should say.
So, I need some help. See, I am really not a big fan of fractions. But I need to eliminate fractions to do a math problem. First one is 1/2-x=3/8. I know how to find LCD, then multiply both sides, distributive property, etc etc. But here's where I'm stuck. 4-8x = ___
I multiplied 3/8 by 8, I got 24/64. THIS is where I don't know what to do. I'd appreciate help ASAP.
-x = (3/8) / (1/2)
-x = (3/8) * (2/1)
x = -6/8 = -3/4
An easy way to check your fraction problems is to convert the fractions to decimals and use your calculator.
3/8 = 0.375
1/2 = 0.5
0.375/0.5 = 0.75
Pherhaps I should clarify. I have
4-8x=24/64. I need to solve this, but I have to eliminate all fractions first. I can solve it once the fraction is gone. But how do I eliminate it?
To eliminate fractions in the equation 1/2 - x = 3/8, you performed the correct step of multiplying both sides by 8 to clear the fractions. However, it seems there was a mistake when you multiplied 3/8 by 8.
To multiply a fraction by a whole number, you multiply the numerator (top number) by the whole number. In this case, multiplying 3/8 by 8 would result in (3 * 8)/8, which simplifies to 24/8, not 24/64 as you mentioned.
To continue solving the equation, you can rewrite 1/2 as its equivalent fraction with a common denominator of 8. Multiply both the numerator and denominator of 1/2 by 4 to get 4/8. So the equation becomes:
4/8 - x = 3/8
Now that both fractions have the same denominator, you can combine the numerators:
4/8 - x = 3/8
(4 - x)/8 = 3/8
The numerator on the left side is (4 - x), and it remains as a fraction over 8 because that is the common denominator. Now, to eliminate the fractions, you can cross-multiply:
8 * (4 - x) = 8 * 3
Expanding the left side:
32 - 8x = 24
Finally, solve for x by isolating it on one side of the equation:
32 - 8x = 24
-8x = 24 - 32
-8x = -8
Divide both sides by -8:
x = -8/-8
x = 1
Therefore, the solution to the equation 1/2 - x = 3/8 is x = 1.