In Exercises 1–14, simplify the expression or solve the equation, whichever is appropriate.3x/4 - x/3 + 1 = 4x/5 - 3/20
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Step 1: To simplify the equation, we first need to find a common denominator for all the fractions. The least common multiple of 4, 3, 5, and 20 is 60. So, we multiply each term by 60 to eliminate the fractions. This gives us: 45x - 20x + 60 = 48x - 9
Step 2: Next, we combine like terms on each side of the equation. This gives us: 25x + 60 = 48x - 9
Step 3: Now, we can isolate the variable x by subtracting 25x from both sides of the equation. This gives us: 60 = 23x - 9
Step 4: To further isolate x, we add 9 to both sides of the equation. This gives us: 69 = 23x
Step 5: Finally, we solve for x by dividing both sides of the equation by 23. This gives us: x = 69/23
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Combining Like Terms
Combining like terms is a fundamental algebraic technique used to simplify expressions. It involves grouping terms that have the same variable raised to the same power, allowing for easier manipulation of the equation. For example, in the expression 3x/4 - x/3, both terms contain the variable x, so they can be combined after finding a common denominator.
Finding a common denominator is essential when adding or subtracting fractions. It involves determining a shared multiple of the denominators, which allows for the fractions to be expressed with the same base. In the given equation, the denominators are 4, 3, and 5, and finding a common denominator will facilitate the simplification of the entire expression.
Isolating the variable is a key step in solving equations, where the goal is to get the variable on one side of the equation and all other terms on the opposite side. This often involves performing inverse operations, such as addition or subtraction, to both sides of the equation. In the context of the given equation, isolating x will help determine its value by simplifying the expression step by step.