How do you solve #3/4 = 3/8x - 3/2#?

3 Answers
Jul 13, 2015

My first step would be to multiply everything on both sides by #8# to get rid of all the fractions.

Explanation:

#->6=3x-12->18=3x->x=6#

Jul 13, 2015

I found: #x=6#

Explanation:

I would take #8# as common denominator and write:
#(color(red)(2)*3)/8=(3x)/8-(color(red)(4)*3)/8#
where the red terms were introduced to adapt the numerators to the new denominator #8#.
I can now get rid of the denominators and get:
#(2*3)/cancel(8)=(3x)/cancel(8)-(4*3)/cancel(8)#
#6=3x-12#
and:
#3x=18#
#x=18/3=6#

Jul 13, 2015

#x=6#

Explanation:

OK, we are given #3/4=3/8x-3/2#

First, let's add #3/2# to both sides:

#3/4=3/8x-3/2#

#3/4+3/2=3/8x#

We need a common denominator for both #3/4# and #3/2#, so we'll go with the common denominator of #4#, since both #2# and #4# go into #4#:

#3/4+3/2=3/8x#

#3/4+(2*3)/(2*2)=3/8x#

#3/4+6/4=3/8x#

Now, add #3/4+6/4# to get #9/4#

#3/4+6/4=3/8x#

#9/4=3/8x#

Now, multiply both sides by the reciprocal of #3/8# which is #8/3#

#9/4=3/8x#

#8/3*9/4=8/3*3/8x#

#2/1*3/1=1*x#

#2*3=x#

#6=x#