How can you solve this equation using an alternate method?

  • MHB
  • Thread starter xSilentShuriken
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In summary, to solve an equation with parentheses, you must first multiply through the parentheses and then bring all the terms related to $x$ to one side and all the constant terms to the other side. Then, solve for $x$ by dividing the equation by the coefficient of $x$. In this case, the coefficients of $x$ were $-\frac{1}{9}$ and $\frac{1}{3}$, which when combined equal $-\frac{7}{9}$. Alternatively, you can distribute and combine like terms before solving for $x$. Both methods result in the solution $x=27$.
  • #1
xSilentShuriken
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  • #2
First you have to multiply through the parentheses on the left. Then you have to bring all the terms that are related to $x$ to the left side of the equation and all the constant terms to the right side. Then you can solve for $x$.
 
  • #3
mathmari said:
First you have to multiply through the parentheses on the left. Then you have to bring all the terms that are related to $x$ to the left side of the equation and all the constant terms to the right side. Then you can solve for $x$.

Can you show me with the numbers?
 
  • #4
xSilentShuriken said:
Can you show me with the numbers?

Sure! Multiplying through the parentheses:
\begin{align*}-\frac{1}{9}(x-27)+\frac{1}{3}(x+3)=x-17 & \Rightarrow -\frac{1}{9}\left (x+(-27)\right )+\frac{1}{3}(x+3)=x-17 \\ & \Rightarrow \left (-\frac{1}{9}\right )x+\left (-\frac{1}{9}\right )\cdot (-27)+\frac{1}{3}x+\frac{1}{3}\cdot 3=x-17 \\ & \Rightarrow -\frac{1}{9}x+3+\frac{1}{3}x+1=x-17 \end{align*}

Bringing all the terms that are related to $x$ to the left side of the equation and all the constant terms to the right side:
\begin{align*}-\frac{1}{9}x+3+\frac{1}{3}x+1=x-17 & \Rightarrow -\frac{1}{9}x+\frac{1}{3}x-x=-17-1-3 \\ & \Rightarrow \left (-\frac{1}{9}+\frac{1}{3}-1\right )x=-21 \\ & \Rightarrow -\frac{7}{9}x=-21\end{align*}

Solving for $x$ by dividing the equation by the coefficient of $x$:
\begin{equation*}-\frac{7}{9}x=-21 \Rightarrow x=\frac{-21}{-\frac{7}{9}} \Rightarrow x=\frac{21}{\frac{7}{9}} \Rightarrow x=21\cdot \frac{9}{7} \Rightarrow x=27\end{equation*}
 
  • #5
mathmari said:
Sure! Multiplying through the parentheses:
\begin{align*}-\frac{1}{9}(x-27)+\frac{1}{3}(x+3)=x-17 & \Rightarrow -\frac{1}{9}\left (x+(-27)\right )+\frac{1}{3}(x+3)=x-17 \\ & \Rightarrow \left (-\frac{1}{9}\right )x+\left (-\frac{1}{9}\right )\cdot (-27)+\frac{1}{3}x+\frac{1}{3}\cdot 3=x-17 \\ & \Rightarrow -\frac{1}{9}x+3+\frac{1}{3}x+1=x-17 \end{align*}

Bringing all the terms that are related to $x$ to the left side of the equation and all the constant terms to the right side:
\begin{align*}-\frac{1}{9}x+3+\frac{1}{3}x+1=x-17 & \Rightarrow -\frac{1}{9}x+\frac{1}{3}x-x=-17-1-3 \\ & \Rightarrow \left (-\frac{1}{9}+\frac{1}{3}-1\right )x=-21 \\ & \Rightarrow -\frac{7}{9}x=-21\end{align*}

Solving for $x$ by dividing the equation by the coefficient of $x$:
\begin{equation*}-\frac{7}{9}x=-21 \Rightarrow x=\frac{-21}{-\frac{7}{9}} \Rightarrow x=\frac{21}{\frac{7}{9}} \Rightarrow x=21\cdot \frac{9}{7} \Rightarrow x=27\end{equation*}
How does the negative 1/9 and the 1/3 equal to negative 7/9
 
  • #6
xSilentShuriken said:
How does the negative 1/9 and the 1/3 equal to negative 7/9

So that we cann add/subtract fractions the denominator must be the same.

We have that the coefficient of $x$ is the following: $$-\frac{1}{9}+\frac{1}{3}-1 = -\frac{1}{9}+\frac{1}{3}\cdot \frac{3}{3}-1\cdot \frac{9}{9} =-\frac{1}{9}+\frac{3}{9}-\frac{9}{9} =\frac{-1+3-9}{9}=\frac{-7}{9}$$
 
  • #7
As an alternate method, I would begin by multiplying though by 9 to obtain:

\(\displaystyle -(x-27)+3(x+3)=9x-153\)

Distribute:

\(\displaystyle -x+27+3x+9=9x-153\)

Combine like terms:

\(\displaystyle 189=7x\)

Divide through by 7:

\(\displaystyle x=27\) :D
 

FAQ: How can you solve this equation using an alternate method?

What is the equation "Solve −(x−27)/9+(x+3)/3=x−17" asking me to do?

The equation is asking you to solve for the value of x that makes both sides of the equation equal.

How do I start solving the equation "Solve −(x−27)/9+(x+3)/3=x−17"?

The first step in solving this equation is to simplify each side by distributing the negative sign in front of the parentheses and combining like terms.

Can I use any algebraic method to solve the equation "Solve −(x−27)/9+(x+3)/3=x−17"?

Yes, you can use any algebraic method that you are comfortable with, such as combining like terms, using the distributive property, or isolating the variable on one side of the equation.

How do I know if my solution to the equation "Solve −(x−27)/9+(x+3)/3=x−17" is correct?

You can check your solution by plugging in the value of x into the original equation and seeing if both sides are equal. If they are equal, then your solution is correct.

Are there any restrictions on the value of x in the equation "Solve −(x−27)/9+(x+3)/3=x−17"?

Yes, there is a restriction on the value of x in this equation. The denominator of the first fraction, 9, cannot equal 0, so x cannot equal 27.

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