Question

How do you solve `10 1/2 = x + 1 1/2`?

Answer 1

`9`

Explanation:

Isolate `x` on the right-hand side by subtracting `1 1/2` from both sides

`10 1/2-1 1/2=x + cancel(1 1/2)- cancel(1 1/2)`

This is equivalent to

`(10 * 2 + 1)/2 - (1 * 2 + 1)/2 = x`

`21/2 - 3/2 = x implies x = 18/2 = 9`