Question

Solve this equation 2/4x- 1/5x=x-1

Answer 1

x = -10/7

Explanation:

Assume that you meant (2/4)x - (1/5)x = x - 1. The parentheses are important for clarity.

Start the solution by combining the x terms. Note that the LCD here is 20, and that the problem thus becomes

(10/20)x - (4/20)x = x - 1

This simplifies to (6/20)x = x - 1, or

(3/10)x = x - 1

Note that 'x' = '10/10x', and so (3/10)x = (10/10)x - 1, or

-1 = (7/10)x

Multiplying both sides by 10, we get 7x = -10, and therefore x = -10/7