Answer:
x = 41 3/4
Explanation:
(2 1/2)x -(3/4)(2x +5) = 38
(2 1/2)x -(1 1/2)x -15/4 = 38 . . . . use the distributive property
x = 38 +3 3/4 . . . . . . add 15/4
x = 41 3/4
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Another way to solve this is to "clear fractions" by multiplying the whole equation by 4:
10x -3(2x +5) = 152
4x -15 = 152 . . . . eliminate parentheses
4x = 167 . . . . . . . add 15
x = 41 3/4 . . . . . . divide by 4