<PRE><B>Question 21081</B>
one third of a number is 5 less than half of the same number&lt;br&gt;

writing this as an algebraic expression you get&lt;br&gt;

1/3x=5-1/2x&lt;br&gt;

to solve this equation you need to get a common denominator. Doing so you get&lt;br&gt;

2x=30-3x&lt;br&gt;

now combine like terms&lt;br&gt;

5x=30&lt;br&gt;

finally divide by 5&lt;br&gt;

x=6&lt;br&gt;

checking&lt;br&gt;

1/3(6)=5-1/2(6)
2=5-3
2=2</PRE>