Expanding and Simplifying with Fractions

Hannah1999

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Aug 14, 2018
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Hi! I am awfully rusty with my algebra so i would appreciate some assistance!

The question is: Expand and simplify the following expression

1/5 (x+3) + x/3

I have no idea where to start and am feeling very lost (math is not my strong point)!
 
Hi. Are you in a math course?

To "expand" means multiply out this part:

1/5 (x+3)

You need to recall the Distributive Property for that.

A (B + C) = A∙B + A∙C

Remember how that pattern goes?
 
Hi! I am awfully rusty with my algebra so i would appreciate some assistance!

The question is: Expand and simplify the following expression

1/5 (x+3) + x/3

I have no idea where to start and am feeling very lost (math is not my strong point)!

don't let the symbols confuse you.
with an expression such as 1/5(x+3) each term inside the paranthesis is multiplied by 1/5.

This yields x/5 + 3/5
the whole expression is then x/5+3/5+x/3
then you can combine like terms, adding x/5 to x/3.
the final answer is 8x/15 + 3/5.

note: 1/5(x+3) could be confusing. I am assuming you mean (1/5 )(x+3),
and not 1/(5(x+3)).
 
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