Question 5409
There are a couple of ways to do this.  One way is to just add like terms on the left side, and say that {{{(1/2)x + 2x }}} could be written as 2.5x.  If you do that, then you just have:

2.5x = 50  To finish, just divide both sides by 2.5:

{{{(2.5x)/2.5 = 50/2.5}}}

{{{x= 50/2.5}}}


To clear the decimal, multiply numerator and denominator by 10:
{{{x = (50/2.5)*(10/10) = 500/25 = 20 }}}


Equally easy for those who do not like fractions, multiply both sides of the original equation by 2 to clear the fraction:

{{{(1/2)x + 2x = 50}}} 
{{{2*(1/2)x + 2*2x = 2*50 }}} 
{{{x + 4x = 100}}}
{{{5x = 100}}}


Divide both sides by 5:
{{{(5x)/5 = 100/5 = 20}}}


Which way do you like better???


R^2 at SCC