Can someone please help me with this yr 9 algebra question?

This is question:
#x/8+(x+2)/2=-1#

1 Answer
Apr 30, 2018

#x=-16/5#

Explanation:

When adding fractions, the first thing you should do is make sure the denominators are the same number. This can be accomplished by multiplying the top and bottom of the fraction by the same number. In this case, we can multiply the top and bottom of #(x+2)/2# by 4:
#x/8+(4\times(x+2))/(4\times2)=-1#
#x/8+(4x+8)/8=-1#

Now that each fraction has the same denominator, we can add them by adding the top values.
#(x+4x+8)/8=-1#
#(5x+8)/8=-1#

Then multiply both sides by 8, and you will have an algebraic expression.
#5x+8=-8#
Subtract 8 from both sides:
#5x=-16#
And divide by 5 to find the answer:
#x=-16/5#