Question

1/2x+1/3x+1/4x+1/5x=77

Answer 1

Hint: The LCM of 2, 3, 4, 5 is 60.

Answer 2

Oh

Answer 3

So how I'd solve it

Answer 4

In this case, it would be much easier to simply multiply each term by 60, however, even if you didn't know what the LCD was, you could still do it by combining two fractions at a time.

Answer 5

LCD?

Answer 6

Least Common Denominator

Answer 7

But anyway, as I was saying, even if you didn't know what the LCD was, you could still simplify the left side by combining two fractions at a time.

Answer 8

Explaining @Hero 's point, in this case you can simplify by adding 1/2x and 1/4x to build 3/4x. (1/2x = 2/4x)

Answer 9

Actually, @tytenn4a03, I was going to attempt to help @3maahser discover that for herself.

Answer 10

Hi Ema
U have to bring all the fractions to common denominator

Answer 11

Therefor each fraction has to represented in the same NEW denominator which will be their multiple

Answer 12

Then u add them all to get a SINGLE fraction. It will be the coefficient of x

Answer 13

Then solve for x by dividing both sides by this coefficient

Answer 14

Oh sorry @Hero :P

Answer 15

So how exactly do I solve this. Like I multiply the bottom numbers by 0? Or what?

Answer 16

Do you know how to add

\[\frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{4}\]

Answer 17

Yes it's 3/4

Answer 18

U multiply EACH coefficient by a special form of 1, that is\[\frac{ 1 }{ 2 }\times \frac{30}{30}\]

Answer 19

and \[\frac{ 1 }{ 3 } by \frac{ 20 }{ 20 }\]

Answer 20

Okay, well

\[\frac{1}{2}x + \frac{1}{4}x\] is the same way, except you just add the x at the end of it.

Answer 21

Coeffecient?

Answer 22

This is called "changing the denominator" - in this case to Denominator = 60

Answer 23

So now you have \(\frac{3}{4}x\). Now you can add:

\[\frac{3}{4}x + \frac{1}{3}x\]

Answer 24

1/4 of 60 is...

Answer 25

15

Answer 26

I'm trying to show @3maahser how to add fractions without LCDs because she is not familiar with them. I think she should learn how to solve these using methods she is already familiar with

Answer 27

I'm convinced that she knows at least how to add two fractions together. She can probably solve this problem by continuing with using the methods she is already familiar with. @Mikael, you might be able to show her how to do this problem, but it is an almost certainty that she will struggle with the next problem

Answer 28

Figured it out. :)

Answer 29

I hope you used my method