SOLUTION: Bryce insist that (2+x)/8 is equivlent to (1+x)/4. What mistake do you think he is making and how could you demonstrate to Bryce that the two expressions are not equivalent?

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: Bryce insist that (2+x)/8 is equivlent to (1+x)/4. What mistake do you think he is making and how could you demonstrate to Bryce that the two expressions are not equivalent?      Log On


   

Question 170746This question is from textbook elementary algebra
: Bryce insist that (2+x)/8 is equivlent to (1+x)/4. What mistake do you think he is making and how could you demonstrate to Bryce that the two expressions are not equivalent? This question is from textbook elementary algebra

Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
he seems to be simply comparing the ratios of 2/8 and 1/4 and paying no attention to the x terms........one way to prove he is wrong is to find the lcd...which is 8 in this case. once the denominators are equal we can compare the numerators
:
%282%2Bx%29%2F8.....eq 1
%281%2Bx%29%2F4--->..eq 2 multiply top and bottom by 2--->2%281%2Bx%29%2F8=%282%2B2x%29%2F8
:
clearly 2+x is not equal to 2+2x