## anonymous 4 years ago 0 = 5/6x + 2/7x + 1 My teacher says to multiply by 42 to get rid of the fractions. ...It's not exactly working for me. How should I do it?

1. JamesJ

is that $$\frac{5}{6x}$$ or $$\frac{5}{6}x$$?

2. anonymous

I can't seem to be able to type it out using the Equation system, but it's the second one. Same with 5/7x, they're both fractions.

3. y2o2

just use brackets

4. JamesJ

So you have $0 = \frac{5}{6}x + \frac{2}{7}x + 1$ Now multiply both sides by 42 and you have $42(0) = 0 = 42\frac{5}{6}x + 42\frac{2}{7}x + 1$ Now simplify that expression.

5. JamesJ

*correction: $0 = 42\frac{5}{6}x + 42\frac{2}{7}x + 42$

6. anonymous

Okay, I now have: $0 = \frac{257}{6}x +\frac{296}{7}x + 42$ $0 =\frac{3575}{42}x + 42$ or $0 = 85\frac{5}{42}x + 42$ Do I divide by 42 to get rid of that fraction?

7. phi

If I were you, I would cancel first. for example: $\frac{42\cdot 5}{6}= 7\cdot5= 35$ do that for both fractions before taking the next step.

8. phi

That is why you multiply by 42, to get rid of the 6 and the 7 in the denominators

9. anonymous

I think I got it! 0 = 5/6x + 2/7x + 1 (42)0 = 42(5/6x) + 42(2/7x) + 42(1) 0 = 35x + 12x + 42 0 = 47x + 42 -42 = 47x -42/47 = x

10. phi

looks good. It is easier working with smaller numbers, isn't it?

11. anonymous

Definitely! Thanks to the both of you. :D