How do you multiply #1/8+2/x=17/(8x)#?

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Answer 1 · 2015-05-14T20:00:40

There is nothing here to multiply.

Perhaps the question is about cross multiplying.

In order to cross multiply, we need to have a fraction equal to a fraction. So we'll need to get a single fraction on the left.

To get a single fraction on the left, we will need a common denominator, so we want:

#1/8+2/x=17/(8x)#

#1/8*x/x +2/x*8/8=17/(8x)#

#x/(8x)+16/(8x)=17/(8x)#

#(x+16)/(8x)=17/(8x)#

Now we can crossmultiply to get:

#8x(x+16)=8x(17)#

#8x^2+128x=136x#

#8x^2+128x-136x=0#

#8x^2-8x=0#

#8x(x-1)=0#

#x=0# is not possible in the original equation (It is an extraneous solution).

#x-1=0# gives the solution #x=1#