Another long one, is there a simpler way?

iceTea

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This is another one that is taking me a long time to solve (but I think I got it?). It is from a Kumon sheet and it feels like maybe I'm missing some simpler way to get to the answer.

The reason I think I might be missing a simpler method is because the previous problems on the sheet were way way simpler. For example, [MATH]x \cdot 5= \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3}[/MATH]. Usually Kumon does a good job of gradually increasing... but I'm really struggling with this jump.

Here is the original problem:
[MATH] (1999 \cdot \frac{1}{24} + x)1\frac{3}{5} - 3\frac{5}{11} \cdot 3\frac{2}{3} = 127 [/MATH]
1. I converted to improper fractions and multiplied 3 5/11 by 3 2/3:

[MATH] (1999 \cdot \frac{1}{24} + x)1\frac{3}{5} - \color{blue}3\frac{5}{11} \cdot 3\frac{2}{3}\color{black} = 127 \quad \rightarrow\quad (1999 \cdot \frac{1}{24} + x)\frac{8}{5} - \frac{38}{3} = 127 [/MATH]
2. I added 38/3 to both sides:

[MATH](1999 \cdot \frac{1}{24} + x)\frac{8}{5} - \color{red} \frac{38}{3}\color{black} = 127 \quad \rightarrow\quad (1999 \cdot \frac{1}{24} + x)\frac{8}{5} = \frac{419}{3}[/MATH]
3. I multiplied both sides by 5/8:

[MATH](1999 \cdot \frac{1}{24} + x)\color{green}\frac{8}{5}\color{black} = \frac{419}{3} \quad \rightarrow\quad (1999 \cdot \frac{1}{24} + x) = \frac{2095}{24}[/MATH]
4. I multiplied 1999 by 1/24:

[MATH](\color{blue}1999 \cdot \frac{1}{24}\color{black} + x) = \frac{2095}{24} \quad \rightarrow\quad \frac{1999}{24} + x = \frac{2095}{24}[/MATH]
5. I subtracted 1999/24 from both sides:

[MATH]\color{red}\frac{1999}{24}\color{black} + x = \frac{2095}{24} \quad \rightarrow\quad x = \frac{96}{24}[/MATH]
6. Simplified:
[MATH]x = 4[/MATH]
P.S. Mainly I think it is taking me so long because I'm trying to figure out stuff like can I reduce 1999/24? Can I reduce 419/3? Because I have always been taught that it's best to reduce first.
 
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I don't see a better way; and it's probably intended to teach you the lesson you learned: practice simplifying fractions!

But also, if you don't quickly see that you can, don't worry about it. It's meant to save time, so if it takes more time than it saves, it isn't worth it.
 
P.S. Mainly I think it is taking me so long because I'm trying to figure out stuff like can I reduce 1999/24? Can I reduce 419/3? Because I have always been taught that it's best to reduce first.
Learn your divisibility rules! 24 = 2*2*2*3. 2 does not go into 1999. Does 3 go into 1999. If you knew the divisibility rule for 3 you can easily check it.

Follow this link to learn the divisibility rules. You may not like seeing the proofs but all the rules are there. Learn them!
 
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