How do you solve 12/x+3/4=3/2?

1 Answer
Feb 23, 2016

x = 16

Explanation:

Generally when solving a problem like this one I choose to multiply all terms by a common denominator. In this case the common denominator is 4x.
(4x)( 12/x +3/4 = 3/2)

48 +3x = 6x

48 = 3x

16 = x

There is another approach to solving this problem, and that is to subtract 3/4 from each side of the equation first.
12/x + 3/4 - 3/4 = 3/2 -3/4

12/x = 6/4 -3/4

12/x = 3/4

Now this is a simple ratio which can be solved by cross multiplying.

48 = 3x

16 = x