SOLUTION: Please help me solve this equation. 1/2 x + 1/3 x = 7 This is what I had tried, but I can't figure out what to do halfway through. I multiplied everything by 6; the comm

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve this equation. 1/2 x + 1/3 x = 7 This is what I had tried, but I can't figure out what to do halfway through. I multiplied everything by 6; the comm      Log On


   

Question 19106: Please help me solve this equation.
1/2 x + 1/3 x = 7

This is what I had tried, but I can't figure out what to do halfway through.
I multiplied everything by 6; the common denominator.
6(1/2)x + 6(1/3)x = (7)6
And then I got:
3x + 2x = 42
I subtracted 2x from 2x and then subtracted it from 42.
3x + 2x = 42 - 2x
- 2x
This is where I get stuck.
3x = 40x


Found 2 solutions by jakegfan, MelanieBCC:
Answer by jakegfan(4) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
3x+2x=42
1. 3x+2x are like terms so add them together
2. So you will have 5x=42
3. Take 42 and divide by 5
4. That will be your answer

Answer by MelanieBCC(40) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
collect your like terms:
3x%2B2x=42 should become 5x=42
then divide by 5 for your final answer