Question 403481
when the reciprocal of three times a number is subtracted from the reciprocal of
 the subtracted from the reciprocal of the number,
 the results is one sixth.find the number
:
Rewrite this so it makes sense.
"when the reciprocal of three times a number is subtracted from the reciprocal of the number, the results is one sixth." find the number.
:
Let x = the number
{{{1/x}}} - {{{3/x}}} = {{{1/6}}}
Multiply by 6x
6x*{{{1/x}}} - 6x{{{3/x}}} = 6x{{{1/6}}}
cancel the denominators and you have:
6 - 6(3) = x
6 - 18 = x
-12 = x
the number is -12
:
:
See if that's true
{{{1/(-12)}}} - {{{3/(-12)}}} = 
Minus a minus is a plus
{{{-1/12}}} + {{{3/12}}} = {{{2/12) reduces to {{{1/6}}}