SOLUTION: Simplify variable expression: -1/2x - 1/3x

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Question 60601: Simplify variable expression:
-1/2x - 1/3x
Found 2 solutions by funmath, jai_kos:
Answer by funmath(2873) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In order to add or subtract fractions, they have to have the same denominator.
:
Simplify variable expression:
%28-1%2F2%29x+-+%281%2F3%29x
This has a LCD (lowest common denominator) of 6. Whatever you do to the denominator to get 6 you have to do to the numerator.
%28-1%2A3%2F%282%2A3%29%29x-%281%2A2%2F%283%2A2%29%29x
%28-3%2F6%29x-%282%2F6%29x Combine the numerators, the denominator is the same.
%28%28-3-2%29%2F6%29x When the signs are the same, add and keep the sign.
%28-5%2F6%29x
Happy Calculating!!!

Answer by jai_kos(139) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
-1/2x - 1/3x
We find that (-1/x) is common.
(-1/x) [(1/2) – (1/3)]
Let us now simplify the above fraction, we get
(-1/x)[ (3 -2)/ 6]
(-1/x) [1/6]
[-1 /6x]