Question

How do you combine like terms in `\frac { 1} { 2} r - \frac { 1} { 8} r + \frac { 3} { 2} - 3`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, get the `r` terms and the constants each over a common denominator so the fractions can be added. We do this by multiplying each term by the appropriate form of `1`:

`1/2r - 1/8r + 3/2 - 3 =>`

`(4/4 xx 1/2)r - 1/8r + 3/2 - (2/2 xx 3) =>`

`4/8r - 1/8r + 3/2 - 6/2`

Now, combine like terms:

`(4/8 - 1/8)r + (3/2 - 6/2) =>`

`(4 - 1)/8r + (3 - 6)/2 =>`

`3/8r + (-3/2) =>`

`3/8r - 3/2`