The expression 4x/5 - 2x/3 is equivalent to...
a) x/2
b) x/5
c) x/15
d) 2x/15

Question

The expression 4x/5 - 2x/3 is equivalent to...
a) x/2
b) x/5
c) x/15
d) 2x/15

greatlife44 · Answer

now remember to subtract fractions we need to multiply both by  the LCD

greatlife44 · Answer

$$\frac{ 4x }{ 5 }*(15)-\frac{ 2x }{ 3 }*(15)$$

greatlife44 · Answer

Which results in the following 

$$\frac{ (4x*3) -(2x*5)}{ 15 }$$

anonymous · Answer

I'm confused. What would be the final answer then? Sorry, I don't really get subtracting fractions.

greatlife44 · Answer

well, we need to make the denominator the same if you notice they are different 3 and 5, so we must multiply each fraction by the least common denominator of 3 and 5 which is 15. 

this gives us 
$$\frac{ 2x }{ 15 }$$

anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much! Would you mind helping me with other problems if you have time?