Question

Would you solve the equation 0.25x + 7 = 1/3x -1 using fractions or decimals? Explain. Please help I'm very confused! #40

Answer 1

I would use fractions because 0.25=1/4 but 1/3=0.3333333333333 forever

also, we can cancel fractions by multiplying by the least common denomenator

so, write 0.25x as 1/4x

1/4x+7=1/3x-8
times both sides by 12
3x+84=4x-96
minus 3x both sides
84=x-96
add 96 to both sides
180=x
x=180

I would use fractions

Answer 2

You would use fractions in my opinion.
0.25 is easy to change to a fraction. It's 1/4
However, 1/3 is not easy to change to a decimal because it would be the repeating decimal 0.333333(going on forever).

So basically it's just easier to change them both to fractions because 1/3 isn't a terminating decimal.