SOLUTION: Please help me solve this equation: 1/2X + 2X = 50. I can look at it and know automatically that the answer is 20. However, I don't know how to show the steps taken to arrive

Algebra ->  Numeric Fractions Calculators, Lesson and Practice -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve this equation: 1/2X + 2X = 50. I can look at it and know automatically that the answer is 20. However, I don't know how to show the steps taken to arrive       Log On


   

Question 5409: Please help me solve this equation:
1/2X + 2X = 50. I can look at it and know automatically that the answer is 20. However, I don't know how to show the steps taken to arrive at the answer.
Thanks, K
Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
There are a couple of ways to do this. One way is to just add like terms on the left side, and say that %281%2F2%29x+%2B+2x+ could be written as 2.5x. If you do that, then you just have:
2.5x = 50 To finish, just divide both sides by 2.5:
%282.5x%29%2F2.5+=+50%2F2.5
x=+50%2F2.5

To clear the decimal, multiply numerator and denominator by 10:
x+=+%2850%2F2.5%29%2A%2810%2F10%29+=+500%2F25+=+20+

Equally easy for those who do not like fractions, multiply both sides of the original equation by 2 to clear the fraction:
%281%2F2%29x+%2B+2x+=+50
2%2A%281%2F2%29x+%2B+2%2A2x+=+2%2A50+
x+%2B+4x+=+100
5x+=+100

Divide both sides by 5:
%285x%29%2F5+=+100%2F5+=+20

Which way do you like better???

R^2 at SCC