Final answer:
To simplify the expression (1/3x - 3) + (-3/4x - 5), combine like terms to get -5/12x - 8.
Step-by-step explanation:
To simplify the expression (1/3x - 3) + (-3/4x - 5), we first combine like terms. The numerator of the first fraction is 1, so we can rewrite it as 1/3x - 3. The numerator of the second fraction is -3, so we can rewrite it as -3/4x - 5. Combining the numerators, we get (1/3x - 3) + (-3/4x - 5) = (1/3x - 3/4x) + (-3 - 5) = (1/3 - 3/4)x - 8.
Next, we need to find a common denominator for 1/3 and 3/4, which is 12. We can convert 1/3 to 4/12 and 3/4 to 9/12, resulting in (4/12 - 9/12)x - 8. Subtracting the fractions, we get -5/12x - 8.