Question

Solve for x using

cross multiplication.
3x - 3
2x – 2
=
5
4
x = [?]

Answer 1

Explanation:

Given

(3x - 3) / 5 = (2x - 2) / 4

Begin by cross multiplying

Solution

• 4(3x - 3) = 5(2x - 2) Use the distributive property to remove brackets
• 12x - 12 = 10x - 10 Add 12 to both sides.
• 12x = 10x - 10 + 12 Combine the right
• 12x = 10x + 2 Subtract 10x from both sides
• 12x-10x = 2 Combine the left
• 2x = 2 Divide by 2
• x = 2/2
• x = 1

Note: the original equation gives you 0/5 = 0/4 which is 0 = 0.