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Mathematics 8 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

please help!The numerator of a fraction is 5 times the denominator. If 3 is subtracted from the numerator, and added to the denominator, the resulting fraction is equal to 17/4. Find the original fraction.

OpenStudy (raden):

let the original fraction is 5x/x according information above, we have (5x-3)/(x+3) = 17/4 solve for x

OpenStudy (raden):

cross multiply :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

so x=-4?

OpenStudy (raden):

wrong! (5x-3)/(x+3) = 17/4 do cross multiply, we get 4(5x-3) = 17(x+3) then open the parenthesis by using the distributive property, we get 20x - 12 = 17x + 51 that should be easier for you now

OpenStudy (anonymous):

x=21 but then what is the original fraction?

OpenStudy (raden):

yeah, x = 21 the original fraction is 5x/x just subtitute x = 21, what do you get ?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

105/21?

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