Simplify and solve for X

[bmerr411]

Hi,

I am trying to solve the following equation for X but having difficulty:

(X - 150,000)(0.0175) + X(.9825) = 250

I know the answer to X is 2875, but I am having trouble either factoring out the X/getting the X's together so I can solve for it. I had tried the following:

1. (X - 150,000)(0.0175) + X(.9825) = 250
2. (X - 150,000)(0.0175) = 250 - X(.9825)
3. X - 150,000 = (250 - X(.9825)) / (0.0175)
4. X = ((250 - X(.9825)) / (0.0175)) + 150,000

But I then can't see the approach to isolate or get the X from the right hand side to the left. Thoughts?

Thanks!
Brian

 

[Otis]

solve the following equation for X

(X - 150,000)(0.0175) + X(.9825) = 250

Hi. Start by simplifying the left-hand side. In other words, do the multiplications and combine like terms.

EG:

(X - 1)(10) + X(5) = 50

10X - 10 + 5X = 50

15X = 60


Cheers :cool:

 

[bmerr411]

Hi. Start by simplifying the left-hand side. In other words, do the multiplications and combine like terms.

EG:

(X - 1)(10) + X(5) = 50

10X - 10 + 5X = 50

15X = 60


Cheers :cool:

Thanks! Sometimes the answer is right in front of your eyes

 

[Otis]

Sometimes the answer is right in front of your eyes

It almost always is.

Mathematicians generally need to continue looking at a problem from different viewpoints until they see something that makes the answer obvious (or, at least the next direction to take).

But here's something to remember in Algebra: when a symbol for which you're trying to solve appears inside grouping symbols, you need to find a way to eliminate the grouping symbols -- to free the symbol. With basic equations, this generally means multiplying out everything.