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2.5: Solve Equations with Fractions or Decimals

  • Page ID
    30368
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    Learning Objectives

    By the end of this section, you will be able to:

    • Solve equations with fraction coefficients
    • Solve equations with decimal coefficients
    Note

    Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

    1. Multiply: \(8\cdot 38\).
      If you missed this problem, review Exercise 1.6.16.
    2. Find the LCD of \(\frac{5}{6}\) and \(\frac{1}{4}\).
      If you missed this problem, review Exercise 1.7.16.
    3. Multiply 4.78 by 100.
      If you missed this problem, review Exercise 1.8.22.

    Solve Equations with Fraction Coefficients

    Let’s use the general strategy for solving linear equations introduced earlier to solve the equation, \(\frac{1}{8}x+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{4}\).

      .
    To isolate the x term, subtract \(\frac{1}{2}\) from both sides. .
    Simplify the left side. .
    Change the constants to equivalent fractions with the LCD. .
    Subtract. .
    Multiply both sides by the reciprocal of \(\frac{1}{8}\). .
    Simplify. .
    Table \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    This method worked fine, but many students do not feel very confident when they see all those fractions. So, we are going to show an alternate method to solve equations with fractions. This alternate method eliminates the fractions.

    We will apply the Multiplication Property of Equality and multiply both sides of an equation by the least common denominator of all the fractions in the equation. The result of this operation will be a new equation, equivalent to the first, but without fractions. This process is called “clearing” the equation of fractions.

    Let’s solve a similar equation, but this time use the method that eliminates the fractions.

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\): How to Solve Equations with Fraction Coefficients

    Solve: \(\frac{1}{6}y - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{5}{6}\)

    Solution

    This figure is a table that has three columns and three rows. The first column is a header column, and it contains the names and numbers of each step. The second column contains further written instructions. The third column contains math. On the top row of the table, the first cell on the left reads: “Step 1. Find the least common denominator of all the fractions in the equation.” The text in the second cell reads: “What is the LCD of 1/6, 1/3, and 5/6?” The third cell contains the equation one-sixth y minus 1/3 equals 5/6, with LCD equals 6 written next to it.In the second row of the table, the first cell says: “Step 2. Multiply both sides of the equation by that LCD. This clears the fractions.” In the second cell, the instructions say: “Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD 6. Use the Distributive Property. Simplify—and notice, no more fractions!” The third cell contains the equation 6 times one-sixth y minus 1/3, with one-sixth y minus 1/3 in brackets, equals 6 times 5/6, with “6 times” written in red on both sides. Below this is the same equation with the 6 distributed on both sides: 6 times one-sixth y minus 6 times 1/3 equals 6 times 5/6. Below this is the equation y minus 2 equals 5.In the third row of the table, the first cell says: “Step 3. Solve using the General Strategy for Solving Linear Equations.” In the second cell, the instructions say: “Isolate the x term, add 2. Simplify.” The third cell contains the equation with 2 added to both sides: y minus 2 plus 2 equals 5 plus 2, with “plus 2” written in red on both sides. Below this is the equation y equals 7.

    Try It \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{1}{4}x + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{5}{8}\)

    Answer

    \(x= \frac{1}{2}\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{1}{8}x + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{4}\)

    Answer

    \(x = -2\)

    Notice in Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\), once we cleared the equation of fractions, the equation was like those we solved earlier in this chapter. We changed the problem to one we already knew how to solve! We then used the General Strategy for Solving Linear Equations.

    STRATEGY TO SOLVE EQUATIONS WITH FRACTION COEFFICIENTS.
    1. Find the least common denominator of all the fractions in the equation.
    2. Multiply both sides of the equation by that LCD. This clears the fractions.
    3. Solve using the General Strategy for Solving Linear Equations.
    Example \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    Solve: \(6 = \frac{1}{2}v + \frac{2}{5}v - \frac{3}{4}v\)

    Solution

    We want to clear the fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD of all the fractions in the equation.

    Find the LCD of all fractions in the equation. .
    The LCD is 20.  
    Multiply both sides of the equation by 20. .
    Distribute. .
    Simplify—notice, no more fractions! .
    Combine like terms. .
    Divide by 3. .
    Simplify. .
    Check: .  
    Let v=40. .  
      .  
      .  
    Try It \(\PageIndex{5}\)

    Solve: \(7 = \frac{1}{2}x + \frac{3}{4}x - \frac{2}{3}x\)

    Answer

    \(x = 12\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{6}\)

    Solve: \(-1 = \frac{1}{2}u + \frac{1}{4}u - \frac{2}{3}u\)

    Answer

    \(u = -12\)

    In the next example, we again have variables on both sides of the equation.

    Example \(\PageIndex{7}\)

    Solve: \(a + \frac{3}{4} = \frac{3}{8}a - \frac{1}{2}\)

    Solution

      .
    Find the LCD of all fractions in the equation.
    The LCD is 8.
     
    Multiply both sides by the LCD. .
    Distribute. .
    Simplify—no more fractions. .
    Subtract 3a3a from both sides. .
    Simplify. .
    Subtract 6 from both sides. .
    Simplify. .
    Divide by 5. .
    Simplify. .
    Check: .  
    Let a=−2. .  
      .  
      .  
      .  
    Try It \(\PageIndex{8}\)

    Solve: \(x + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{6}x - \frac{1}{2}\)

    Answer

    \(x = -1\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{9}\)

    Solve: \(c + \frac{3}{4} = \frac{1}{2}c - \frac{1}{4}\)

    Answer

    \(c = -2\)

    In the next example, we start by using the Distributive Property. This step clears the fractions right away.

    Example \(\PageIndex{10}\)

    Solve: \(-5 = \frac{1}{4}(8x + 4)\)

    Solution

      .
    Distribute. .
    Simplify.
    Now there are no fractions.
    .
    Subtract 1 from both sides. .
    Simplify. .
    Divide by 2. .
    Simplify. .
    Check: .  
    Let x=−3. .  
      .  
      .  
      .  
    Try It \(\PageIndex{11}\)

    Solve: \(-11 = \frac{1}{2}(6p + 2)\)

    Answer

    \(p = -4\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{12}\)

    Solve: \(8 = \frac{1}{3}(9q + 6)\)

    Answer

    \(q = 2\)

    In the next example, even after distributing, we still have fractions to clear.

    Example \(\PageIndex{13}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{1}{2}(y - 5) = \frac{1}{4}(y - 1)\)

    Solution

      .
    Distribute. .
    Simplify. .
    Multiply by the LCD, 4. .
    Distribute. .
    Simplify. .
    Collect the variables to the left. .
    Simplify. .
    Collect the constants to the right. .
    Simplify. .
    Check: .  
    Let y=9. .  
    Finish the check on your own.
    Try It \(\PageIndex{14}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{1}{5}(n + 3) = \frac{1}{4}(n + 2)\)

    Answer

    \(n = 2\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{15}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{1}{2}(m - 3) = \frac{1}{4}(m - 7)\)

    Answer

    \(m = -1\)

    Example \(\PageIndex{16}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{5x - 3}{4} = \frac{x}{2}\)

    Solution

      .
    Multiply by the LCD, 4. .
    Simplify. .
    Collect the variables to the right. .
    Simplify. .
    Divide. .
    Simplify. .
    Check: .  
    Let x=1. .  
      .  
      .  
    Try It \(\PageIndex{17}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{4y - 7}{3} = \frac{y}{6}\)

    Answer

    \(y = 2\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{18}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{-2z - 5}{4} = \frac{z}{8}\)

    Answer

    \(z = -2\)

    Example \(\PageIndex{19}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{a}{6} + 2 = \frac{a}{4} + 3\)

    Solution

      .
    Multiply by the LCD, 12. .
    Distribute. .
    Simplify. .
    Collect the variables to the right. .
    Simplify. .
    Collect the constants to the left. .
    Simplify. .
    Check: .  
    Let a=−12. .  
      .  
      .  
    Try It \(\PageIndex{20}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{b}{10} + 2 = \frac{b}{4} + 5\)

    Answer

    \(b = -20\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{21}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{c}{6} + 3 = \frac{c}{3} + 4\)

    Answer

    \(c= -6\)

    Example \(\PageIndex{22}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{4q + 3}{2}+ 6 = \frac{3q + 5}{4}\)

    Solution

      .
    Multiply by the LCD, 4. .
    Distribute. .
    Simplify. .
    .
    .
    Collect the variables to the left. .
    Simplify. .
    Collect the constants to the right. .
    Simplify. .
    Divide by 5. .
    Simplify. .
    Check: .  
    Let q=−5. .  
    Finish the check on your own.
    Try It \(\PageIndex{23}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{3r + 5}{6}+ 1 = \frac{4r + 3}{3}\)

    Answer

    \(r = 1\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{24}\)

    Solve: \(\frac{2s + 3}{2}+ 1 = \frac{3s + 2}{4}\)

    Answer

    \(s = -8\)

    Solve Equations with Decimal Coefficients

    Some equations have decimals in them. This kind of equation will occur when we solve problems dealing with money or percentages. But decimals can also be expressed as fractions. For example, \(0.3 = \frac{3}{10}\) and \(0.17 = \frac{17}{100}\). So, with an equation with decimals, we can use the same method we used to clear fractions—multiply both sides of the equation by the least common denominator.

    Example \(\PageIndex{25}\)

    Solve: \(0.06x + 0.02 = 0.25x - 1.5\)

    Solution

    Look at the decimals and think of the equivalent fractions.

    \(0.06 = \frac { 6 } { 100 } \quad 0.02 = \frac { 2 } { 100 } \quad 0.25 = \frac { 25 } { 100 } \quad 1.5 = 1 \frac { 5 } { 10 }\)

    Notice, the LCD is 100.

    By multiplying by the LCD, we will clear the decimals from the equation.

      .
    Multiply both side by 100. .
    Distribute. .
    Multiply, and now we have no more decimals. .
    Collect the variables to the right. .
    Simplify. .
    Collect the variables to the right. .
    Simplify. .
    Divide by 19. .
    Simplify. .
    Check: Let x=8
    .
     
    Try It \(\PageIndex{26}\)

    Solve: \(0.14h + 0.12 = 0.35h - 2.4\)

    Answer

    \(h = 12\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{27}\)

    Solve: \(0.65k - 0.1 = 0.4k - 0.35\)

    Answer

    \(k = -1\)

    The next example uses an equation that is typical of the money applications in the next chapter. Notice that we distribute the decimal before we clear all the decimals.

    Example \(\PageIndex{28}\)

    Solve: \(0.25x + 0.05(x + 3) = 2.85\)

    Solution

      .
    Distribute first. .
    Combine like terms. .
    To clear decimals, multiply by 100. .
    Distribute. .
    Subtract 15 from both sides. .
    Simplify. .
    Divide by 30. .
    Simplify. .
    Check it yourself by substituting x=9 into the original equation.
    Try It \(\PageIndex{29}\)

    Solve: \(0.25n + 0.05(n + 5) = 2.95\)

    Answer

    \(n = 9\)

    Try It \(\PageIndex{30}\)

    Solve: \(0.10d + 0.05(d -5) = 2.15\)

    Answer

    \(d = 16\)

    Key Concepts

    • Strategy to Solve an Equation with Fraction Coefficients
      1. Find the least common denominator of all the fractions in the equation.
      2. Multiply both sides of the equation by that LCD. This clears the fractions.
      3. Solve using the General Strategy for Solving Linear Equations.

    2.5: Solve Equations with Fractions or Decimals is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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