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 markcr June 2nd, 2014 01:27 PM

simplifying with fractions

Hi

Another very basic problem...

How do you treat the x when multiplying it by a fraction? (in order to remove the brackets?)

y-4 = 1/2(x+2)

Mark

 greg1313 June 2nd, 2014 02:02 PM

Multiplying both sides by 2 gives 2y - 8 = x + 2.

 perfect_world June 2nd, 2014 04:19 PM

$\displaystyle y-4=\frac { \left( x+2 \right) }{ 2 } \\ \\ 2\cdot y-2\cdot 4=\frac { \left( x+2 \right) }{ 2 } \cdot 2\\ \\ 2y-8=x+2\\ \\ x=2y-8-2\\ \\ x=2y-10=2\left( y-5 \right)$

 skipjack June 3rd, 2014 01:22 AM

Quote:
 Originally Posted by markcr (Post 196102) How do you treat the x when multiplying it by a fraction?
1/2x = x/2, so 1/2(x + 2) = x/2 + 1.

 markcr June 3rd, 2014 01:36 AM

Thanks everyone!

Mark

 markcr June 3rd, 2014 02:07 PM

mmm...now what if it's a negative fraction:

y – 4 = -1/2 (x+2)

 Denis June 3rd, 2014 02:22 PM

Quote:
 Originally Posted by markcr (Post 196215) mmm...now what if it's a negative fraction: y – 4 = -1/2 (x+2)
Just multiply by -1:
-y + 4 = 1/2(x+2)

Make it clearer:
-y + 4 = (x+2) / 2

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