SOLUTION: Solve for x: (x – 2)/5 – 3/2 = (x + 1)/10 I have tried this and came up with 3 1/2 or 3.5. When I replaced the x with this solution and worked out both sides, the answer on bo

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: Solve for x: (x – 2)/5 – 3/2 = (x + 1)/10 I have tried this and came up with 3 1/2 or 3.5. When I replaced the x with this solution and worked out both sides, the answer on bo      Log On


   

Question 91660: Solve for x:
(x – 2)/5 – 3/2 = (x + 1)/10
I have tried this and came up with 3 1/2 or 3.5. When I replaced the x with this solution and worked out both sides, the answer on both sides of the = where different.
I am stumped and even my sister who is 30 and just finished her algebra course could not figure it out.
Please help me to figure out where to begin.
Found 2 solutions by ankor@dixie-net.com, josmiceli:
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28%28x-2%29%29%2F5 – 3%2F2 = %28%28x+%2B+1%29%29%2F10
;
First, get rid of the denominators, multiply equation by 10 and you have:
%282%28x-2%29%29%2F5 – 5%283%2F2%29 = x + 1
;
Multiply what's inside of the brackets:
2x - 4 - 15 = x + 1
2x - 19 = x + 1
2x - x = 1 + 19
x = 20
:
:
Check solution in original equation:
%28%2820-2%29%29%2F5 – 3%2F2 = %28%2820+%2B+1%29%29%2F10
:
18%2F5 – 3%2F2 = 21%2F10
:
convert to common denominator of 10
36%2F10 – 15%2F10 = 21%2F10

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28x+-+2%29%2F5+-+3%2F2+=+%28x+%2B+1%29%2F10
multiply both sides by the LCD, which is 10
10%28x-2%29%2F5+-+10%2A3%2F2+=+10%28x+%2B+1%29%2F10
2%28x+-+2%29+-+5%2A3+=+x+%2B+1
2x+-+4+-+15+=+x+%2B+1
subtract x from both sides
x+-+19+=+1
x+=+20 answer
check
%28x+-+2%29%2F5+-+3%2F2+=+%28x+%2B+1%29%2F10
%2820+-+2%29%2F5+-+3%2F2+=+%2820+%2B+1%29%2F10
18%2F5+-+3%2F2+=+21%2F10
multiply both sides by the LCD, which is 10
2%2A18+-+5%2A3+=+21
36+-+15+=+21
21+=+21
OK