Solving equations with fractions

Question 1

What are the steps to solving an equation with brackets?

Answer 1

1. Insert brackets
2. Find the LCM of the denominators
3. Add LCM to the outside of the brackets
4. Cancel
5. Expand the brackets
6. Carry it out the same way you would if were solving a normal equation

Question 2

Example question:
x - 1 = 2x + 1
——- ———
5 4

Answer 2

Do it Step by step

Question 3

What’s the first step?

Answer 3

Insert brackets:

x - 1) = (2x + 1
——- ———
5 4

Question 4

What’s the second step?

Answer 4

Find the LCM of the denominators:

LCM = 20

Question 5

What’s the third step?

Answer 5

Add the LCM to the outside of the brackets:

20 (x - 1) = 20 (2x + 1)
———— —————–
5 4

Question 6

What’s the fourth step?

Answer 6

Cancel:
Divide the 20’s by the denominators
Then
Multiply the brackets by the opposite denominator

4 (x - 1) = 5 (2x + 1)

Question 7

What’s the fifth step?

Answer 7

Expand the brackets:

4x - 4 = 10x + 5

Question 8

What’s step sixth step?

Answer 8

You carry it out like any other equation:

4x - 4 = 10x + 5
- 4 = 6x + 5
-9 = 6x
x = -9 / 6 —> -3 / 2