SOLUTION: I need help solving these particular fractions. An example of one would be -5/8 = k/4. How would I go about solving this.

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Question 80867: I need help solving these particular fractions. An example of one would be -5/8 = k/4. How would I go about solving this.
Found 2 solutions by mathdoc315, praseenakos@yahoo.com:
Answer by mathdoc315(6) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
-5/8 = k/4
A good technique to know here is cross-multiplying.
If b and d are nonzero then these two equations are equivalent:
a%2Fb+=+c%2Fd <==> +a%2Ad+=+b%2Ac+
For the example, you can solve 8%2Ak+=+-5+%2A+4+
or k+=+-20%2F8+=+-5%2F2.
I hope this works for the rest of your problems as well.

Answer by praseenakos@yahoo.com(507) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
QUESTION:


-5/8 = k/4

ANSWER:


To solve such fraction, you have to eliminate all the terms together with the variable (here k).


Here the given fraction is,
-5/8 = k/4
We need to solve it for the variable 'k'


Here the numbers in the denominators are 8 and 4.


Multiply the whole expression with 32 (becoz, 8 * 4 = 32 )


==> 32 * (-5/8) = 32 * ( k/4)


==> 4 * -5 = 8 * k


==> -20 = 8k


Now divide the whole expression by 8 ( because we need to find the value of k, so eliminate all other terms together with k.)


==> -20/8 = 8k/8


==> -20/8 = k


==> k = -20/8, which can be again simplified, then we have,


k = -5/2



To check your answer, plugg the value of k in the given expression, then you will obtain, right side = left side.


Hope you you found this method useful.

Regards.

Praseena.