How do you subtract and simplify #\frac { 2x } { 5x ^ { 3} } - \frac { 1} { 2x }#?

1 Answer
Mar 9, 2017

#(4-5x)/(10x^2)#

Explanation:

#(2x)/(5x^3) - 1/(2x)#

Find the LCD, which in this case is #10x^3#, and make equivalent fractions.

#(2x xx2)/(5x^3xx2) - (1 xx 5x^2)/(2x xx5x^2)#

#=(4x-5x^2)/(10x^3)#

#=(x(4-5x))/(10x^3)" "larr# factorise the numerator

#=(4-5x)/(10x^2)" "larr# cancel the #x#