SOLUTION: ok im really confused about the whole thing. i failed algebra last year now im trying to do it again this year but i dont get the word problems at all. for example "If I take a fou

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: ok im really confused about the whole thing. i failed algebra last year now im trying to do it again this year but i dont get the word problems at all. for example "If I take a fou      Log On


   

Question 57495: ok im really confused about the whole thing. i failed algebra last year now im trying to do it again this year but i dont get the word problems at all. for example "If I take a fourh of a number away from half the number, I get 10. What is the number?"
Found 3 solutions by faceoff57, funmath, rcmcc:
Answer by faceoff57(108) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1/2n - 1/4n = 10
2/4n - 1/4n = 10
1/4n = 10
4(1/4n) = 4(10)
n = 40

Answer by funmath(2933) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Word problems are the most difficult thing for anyone to get good at. I think it's commendable that you're hanging in there and trying:
"If I take a fourh of a number away from half the number, I get 10. What is the number?"
Let a number be: x
Take away means: -
Then a fourth of the number is: %281%2F4%29x
half the number means: %281%2F2%29x
I get means: =
The equation is:
%281%2F2%29x-%281%2F4%29x=10 The LCD is 4.
%28%282%2A1%29%2F%282%2A2%29%29x-%281%2F4%29x=10
%282%2F4%29x-%281%2F4%29x=10
%28%282-1%29%2F4%29x=10
%281%2F4%29x=10
4%2A%281%2F4%29x=4%2A10
%284%2F4%29x=40
1x=40
x=40
The number is 40.
You could clear the fractions by multiplying everything by four in the first step if you hate adding fractions.
Happy Calculating!!!

Answer by rcmcc(152) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
one fourth of one half is the same as saying (1/2)X-(1/4)X=10
to simplify the two terms you can simply subtract them as they are similar terms.
once simplified you ger 1/4x=10 divide by 1/4 to isolate x
x=40