Question

1/6 - x/2 = x -5/3

Answer 1

The x term on the right... can you convert it to an equivalent fraction over 2?

Answer 2

I don't know how to do that.

Answer 3

\[\frac{1}{6}+\bigg (-\frac{1}{6} \bigg) +\frac{-x}{2}=\frac {x}{1} + \frac {-5}{3}+\bigg (-\frac{1}{6} \bigg)\]

Answer 4

Bring the 1/6 over to the left. Also, Make the x on the right a fraction (every number is a fraction over one).

Answer 5

Now, can you show me how it's done?

Answer 6

Ok, from the equation above, we now have...
\[\frac{-x}{2}=\frac {x}{1} + \frac {-5}{3}+\bigg (-\frac{1}{6} \bigg) \Rightarrow \]
\[\frac{-x}{2}=\frac {x}{1} + \frac {-10}{6}+\bigg (-\frac{1}{6} \bigg ) \Rightarrow \frac{-x}{2}=\frac {x}{1} + \frac {-9}{6}\]

Answer 7

Any questions so far?
I had to double the top and bottom of -5/3 so I could add it to -1/6.
Oooops.. Just spotted a math error should be...
\[\frac{-x}{2}=\frac {x}{1} + \frac {-10}{6}+\bigg (-\frac{1}{6} \bigg ) \Rightarrow \frac{-x}{2}=\frac {x}{1} + \frac {-11}{6}\]

Answer 8

Are you following so far?
If so, what is the next step????

Answer 9

Well, I'm just writing down the way that you've done it.So, what's the answer?

Answer 10

OK - now you can get rid of the fractions. 6 is the biggest denominator and every other denoninator divides into it.
Can you multiply both sides through by 6?

Answer 11

I mean, I know how to multiply the bottom part,but, the top part is confusing.

Answer 12

OK, so we will multiply each term by 6/1, canceling top and bottom as we go.
It will take me a while to format this so try on your own while I'm typing. OK. :-)

Answer 13

\[\frac{6}{1}*\frac{-x}{2}=\frac{6}{1}*\frac {x}{1} + \frac {-11}{6}*\frac{6}{1}\]
OK. next we need to cancel (we're using common factors - but I won't show that step I'll just do it.

Answer 14

\[-3x=6x+(-11)\]
Now the fractions are eliminated. Making sense (check all my math).

Answer 15

That part was kind of crucial so tell me if any of that confused you.

Answer 16

Yes, it was, and, I'm still not following you.

Answer 17

I mean, all I really need is the answer.