Algebra

Thanks so much to anyone who answers this!     What good manners :))

 

  x-3             3

-------  =   -------

   x               5

 

I've triedmultiplying both sides by x... should the top left be x^2 - 3x?  Or am I going about it the wrong way?

 

The reason you want to multiply BOTH sides by x is to cancel out the xes on the LHS.

Also, right from the beginning it is good to note that x cannot be 0, you cannot divide by 0.

 

Now is is easiest to multiply BOTH sides by the Lowest common denominator which is 5x

That way you get rid of all the fractions right away and it is easier.

 

Like this:

\(\frac{x-3}{x}=\frac{3}{5}\\\\ 5x*\frac{x-3}{x}=5x*\frac{3}{5}\\\\ 5\not{x}*\frac{x-3}{\not{x}}=\not{5}x*\frac{3}{\not{5}}\\\\ 5(x-3)=3x\\\\ 5x-15=3x\\\\ 5x-15-5x=3x-5x\\\\ -15=-2x\\\\ x=\frac{15}{2}\\\\ x=7\frac{1}{2}\)

Thanks, Melody, that'll help me a lot in the future! :)

 

(From, the person who asked this question)