Question

How do you simplify `1/3x+2/7x-3/4y-1/2y`?

Answer 1

simplified form

• `20/21x-5/4y`

Explanation:

goal: simplify the equation to have only two terms

calculations:
split up `x` terms and `y` terms; simplify separately

set the denominators of all terms with variable `x` equal, and simplify
`1/3x+2/7x\rArr1/3x(7/7)+2/7x(3/3)=14/21x+6/21x=20/21x`
set the denominators of all terms with variable `y` equal, and simplify
`-3/4y-1/2y\rArr-3/4y-1/2y(2/2)=-3/4y-2/4y=-5/4y`

combine the previously simplified forms
`20/21x-5/4y`