Math Word Problems Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

Sometimes when you are solving word problems, you will need to solve

an equation containing fractions. It should be noted that fraction terms can

be written in two ways. See the next examples:

1

3

xcan be written as

x

3

5

6

xcan be written as

5 x

6

3

4

ðx
 2 Þcan be written as

3 ðx
 2 Þ

4

To solve an equation containing fractions, it is necessary to find the lowest

common denominator of all the fractions, and then multiply each term in the

equation by the lowest common denominator. This process is called

clearing fractions.

EXAMPLE:Solve forx:

x

2

þ

x

3

¼ 10

SOLUTION:

x

2

þ

x

3

¼ 10 the LCD is 6

63

1



x

(^21)
þ

62

1



x

(^31)
¼ 6 10 clear fractions
3 xþ 2 x¼ 60
5 x¼ 60 combine terms
51 x
51

¼

60

5

divide by 5

x¼ 12

EXAMPLE:Solve forx:

1

6

þ

1

3

¼

1

x

78 REFRESHER IV Equations