54.6k views
3 votes
Solve for x: 2/5=4/x

2 Answers

9 votes
The answer is 10


Explanation: First you cross-multiply to get 2x=20 and then divide by 2 to get x=10
User Baba Yaga
by
8.0k points
5 votes

9514 1404 393

Answer:

x = 10

Explanation:

Using your number sense, you recognize that a fraction equivalent to 2/5 that has 4 in the numerator is 4/10. This tells you x = 10.

__

The usual instructions for solving this algebraically are to "cross multiply", then divide by the coefficient of x.

2/5 = 4/x . . . . given

2x = 20 . . . . . multiply by 5x on both sides

x = 10 . . . . . . . divide by 2

__

You can do the above two steps both at once: multiply by 5/2x.

(2/5)(5/2x) = (4/x)(5/2x)

x = 20/2 = 10

User Jason Silberman
by
7.2k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories