SOLUTION: Unable to solve. Please help. Thanks. The reciprocal of 5 less than a number is 4 times the reciprocal of twice the number. Find the number.

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Question 127980: Unable to solve. Please help. Thanks. The reciprocal of 5 less than a number is 4 times the reciprocal of twice the number. Find the number.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Write an expression for each phrase
:
Let x = "a number"
:
"The reciprocal of 5 less than a number"
1%2F%28%28x-5%29%29
:
"4 times the reciprocal of twice the number."
4*1%2F%282x%29
:
The word "is" means equal
"The reciprocal of 5 less than a number is 4 times the reciprocal of twice the number."
1%2F%28%28x-5%29%29 = 4*1%2F%282x%29
Same as:
1%2F%28%28x-5%29%29 = 4%2F%282x%29
:
Find the number.
Cross multiply the above equation:
4(x-5) = 2x
:
4x - 20 = 2x
:
4x - 2x = +20
:
2x = 20
x = 20%2F2
x = 10
:
:
Check solution in original equation:
1%2F%28%2810-5%29%29 = 4*1%2F%282%2810%29%29
1%2F5 = 4*1%2F%2820%29
1%2F5 = 4%2F%2820%29; confirms our solution
:
:
Did this make sense to you? Any questions?