Question

One fourth of a number is two more than one fifth of the number. Find the number.

Answer 1

Well we need to change the words into numbers... so one fourth is (1/4), two more is (+2) and one fifth is (1/5)

Answer 2

So lets let 'a number' be represented by an x so we can solve for x.

Answer 3

One fourth of a number will be (1/4)x

Do you think you can figure out what to do with the one fifth and the +2?

Answer 4

so in a fraction it would be \[\frac{ 1 }{ 4 }n = \frac{ 1 }{ 5 }n + 2 \]

Answer 5

exactly!

Answer 6

Now all you need to do is solve for n

Answer 7

Do you understand now? do you still need a hand with the algebra part?

Answer 8

yeah a little

Answer 9

We should get all the n terms on the left side. So to do that, subtract (1/5)n from both sides

Answer 10

Then you will want to turn (1/4)n + (1/5)n into a single fraction. Do you know how to do this?

Answer 11

yeah

Answer 12

Okay after you have done that, you multiply both sides by the denominator of the fraction to get rid of the fraction.

Answer 13

divide both sides by whatever number is in front of the n and tada you will have your answer