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Two Denominators

Part of the Fundamentals section of Coddy's Algebra journey. Lesson 34 of 61.

The equation x2+x3=10\frac{x}{2}+\frac{x}{3} = 10 says that half a number plus a third of it is 10. It has two denominators, 2 and 3. To clear both, multiply every term by a number that both 2 and 3 divide into. The smallest such number is their least common multiple, which is 6:

6x2+6x3=6⋅10\frac{6x}{2}+\frac{6x}{3} = 6\cdot 10

3x+2x=603x+2x = 60

5x=605x = 60

x=12x = 12

One multiplication by 6 removed both fractions. Check the answer: 122+123=6+4=10\frac{12}{2}+\frac{12}{3} = 6+4 = 10.

Any common multiple of the denominators clears the fractions, as long as it is not zero. The least common multiple keeps the numbers small. You can also add the two fractions first: x2+x3\frac{x}{2}+\frac{x}{3} is 56x\frac{5}{6}x, so the equation becomes 56x=10\frac{5}{6}x = 10. Then divide both sides by 56\frac{5}{6}. Both methods give x=12x = 12.

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Challenge

Medium

Solve the equation x2+x5=14\frac{x}{2}+\frac{x}{5} = 14 for xx.

Try it yourself

x2+x5=14\frac{x}{2}+\frac{x}{5} = 14

Get xx alone

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