# Having trouble with fractions

#### smooty21

##### New member
1/5 (3X + 4) = 1/3 (2X - 8)

If someone could show me the correct way to do these I would appreciate very much. Thank you!!!

#### galactus

##### Super Moderator
Staff member
I suppose this is what you have:

$$\displaystyle \L\\\frac{1}{5}(3x+4)=\frac{1}{3}(2x-8)$$

I will show you this one and hopefully it'll help you with others. Okey-doke?.

Distribute:

$$\displaystyle \L\\\frac{3}{5}x+\frac{4}{5}=\frac{2}{3}x-\frac{8}{3}$$

Now, get x's on one side and constants on the other by subtracting $$\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}x$$ from both sides and subtracting $$\displaystyle \frac{4}{5}$$ from both sides:

This gives:

$$\displaystyle \L\\\frac{-1}{15}x=\frac{-52}{15}$$

Multiply both sides by -15:

$$\displaystyle \L\\x=52$$

See?. Practice a few more and you'll be doing it blindfolded.

#### smooty21

##### New member
Thank you very much. Your'e a life saver.

#### Denis

##### Senior Member
smooty21 said:
1/5 (3X + 4) = 1/3 (2X - 8)
Another way is multiply each side by the lcd 15:
3(3x + 4) = 5(2x - 8)
9x + 12 = 10x - 40
10x - 9x = 12 + 40
x = 52