Algebra review

[darby]

4x-5(7x-3)=9(x-5)

4x-35x+15=9x-45
-31x+15=9x-45
-31x+15-15=9x-45-15
-31x=9x-60
Now I am stuck with the next step

 

[mmm4444bot]

-31x = 9x - 60

Now I am stuck …

The next step is "subtract 9x from both sides" because you're trying to get all of the terms that contain a factor of x to one side of the equation. (This is the only way to combine like-terms.)

 

[darby]

thank you but here is what I end up with and seems all wrong to me

-31x-9x=-60
-40x=-60

and 40 does not go into 60 equally that is why this seems all messed up too me. Can you help, please!?

 

[galactus]

Why do you think the solution has to be an integer?. That is correct. Reduce 60/40 to simplest terms, though.

 

[mmm4444bot]

… 40 does not go into 60 equally that is why this seems all messed up …

Hello Darby:

Welcome to the Real world!

Most answers are not Whole numbers.

We call 60/40 a Rational number. (This is because a Rational number is a ratio, written as a fraction; specifically, the ratio of any Integer number written over any Natural number.)

I think it's important to learn about Rational numbers, and how to do arithmetic with them, before starting algebra lessons.

You need to learn how to reduce the fraction 60/40 to 3/2. CLICK HERE and READ LESSON #5

x = 3/2

(We can also write x = 1.5 because the number 1.5 is the decimal form of 3/2.)

Cheers,

~ Mark

 

[darby]

Never mind we figured this one out thanks anyway!

 

[darby]

Thank you Mark but I figured this one out by myself! Thank you so very much!!!