Question

How do i simplify an expression when there is a fraction in it?

For example: 3x - one over two (8x - 2) = 4

Answer 1

can you use the equation editor ?
is this
\[ \frac{3x-1}{2(8x-2)} = 4 \]

Answer 2

or
\[ 3x - \frac{1}{2} \left(8x - 2\right) = 4 \]

Answer 3

but how do i get the numbers off of x once i get 2x over 12 x

Answer 4

First, what exactly is the equation ?

Answer 5

There is an equation editor. Its button is on the lower left of the input area.

Answer 6

if you got
\[ \frac{2x}{12x} \]
the x's would divide out (or "cancel"). it would simplify to
\[ \frac{2x}{12x} = \frac{1}{6}\]
which probably means you made a mistake ... normally the x does not cancel out when solving an equation

Answer 7

i just posted the equatioin did it work?

Answer 8

As you can see... no. It was lost in the ether

Answer 9

\[3x - \frac{ 1 }{ 2 }\8x( - \2)=4\]

Answer 10

do you mean
\[ 3x - \frac{1}{2} \left(8x - 2\right) = 4 \]

Answer 11

Yes

Answer 12

in that case, notice you have a number ( the -1/2) multiplying stuff inside parens.
that means you multiply -1/2 times each thing inside the parens.
( you "distribute" the -1/2)
like this:

\[ 3x+ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot 8x + - \frac{1}{2} \cdot-2 = 4 \]

now simplify.
\[ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot 8x = ?\]
and
\[ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot-2 = ? \]

Answer 13

remember that
\[ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot 8x \]
means
\[ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot 8 \cdot x \]
you can just multiply the numbers. (think of 8 as 8/1)
\[ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{8}{1} \cdot x \]
now multiply top times top and bottom times bottom
\[ \frac{-1\cdot 8 }{2\cdot 1} \cdot x \]
I would divide the 2 into the 8 to simplify and get
\[ \frac{-4}{1} x \]
or just
\[ -4x \]

Answer 14

its so confusing

Answer 15

can you do
\[ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot-2 = ? \]

Answer 16

\[\frac{ 2 }{ 2 }\]

Answer 17

yes, the - times - makes it plus
so you get 2/2

can you simplify 2/2 ?
you can divide top and bottom by 2 and get 1/1 or just 1

Answer 18

for the other problem
\[ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot 8 \cdot x \]

can you do just the numbers:
\[ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot 8 = ? \]

Answer 19

4x

Answer 20

there is a - sign. you get -4x

Answer 21

thats what i get wrong so much just the little things

Answer 22

If you know that, then go carefully.

you now have
\[ 3x+ - \frac{1}{2} \cdot 8x + - \frac{1}{2} \cdot-2 = 4 \\
3x -4x +1 = 4
\]

on the left side you have 3 x's take away 4 x's. How many x's do you have ?

Answer 23

-1x

Answer 24

so now it is
-x + 1 = 4
add -1 to both sides
-x + 1 -1 = 4 -1
simplify
-x +0 = 3
or
-x = 3

can you finish?

Answer 25

Then we can subtract 1 from both sides. Then the equation is -1x = 3

Answer 26

now we divide -1 from both sides and our answer is x =3

Answer 27

-x/ -1 = 3/-1

-x/-1 is x
what is 3/-1 ?

Answer 28

to do 3/-1 we see we have one minus sign, so the answer will be negative
we do - (3/1)
or -3

Answer 29

ohhhh see thats what i always get wrong

Answer 30

when multiplying or dividing, match up minus signs. each pair become a +

so
\[ \frac{ -3}{-1} \]
has two minus signs. make them + and do + (3/1) or +3

or
\[ \frac{ -3}{1} \]
has one minus sign. so do - (3/1) or -3

Answer 31

or if you had
-1 * -2 * -3 *-4
you have two pair of - signs (4 all together ) so the answer is +
+ (1*2*3*4)

Answer 32

If you have questions about something, try to find a video here
http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/introduction-to-algebra
that talks about it.