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I don't understand how to do this

I don't understand how to do this-example-1

2 Answers

1 vote
X = 2 OVER 3
1 OVER 2 * 3 = X OVER 4
1 OVER 6 = X OVER 4
4 = 6X
X= 4 OVER 6
X=2 OVER 3

User Erik Hart
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6.1k points
4 votes
This is cross multiplying, so basically you're multiplying in a big X. So,

multiply (1/2) by 4, to get 2, and then multiply 3 by x, to get 3x.

You now have 2 = 3x, and we need to isolate the variable. To do that, we use the opposite operation the "x" is involved in. Here we have 3x (the x is multiplied to the 3) so we will divide 3x by 3. This cancels out the 3, leaving just "x".

What you do to one side of the = sign, you must do to the other, so we will also divde 2 by 3. This will give you 2/3 = x or, 0.67 = x (whichever form your answer must be in).

I know it can be confusing, so I including a picture working it out to help. Good luck!
I don't understand how to do this-example-1
User Akash Srivastav
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6.2k points