Rewriting the whole as an Equivalent Fraction :
<span> 2.1 </span>  Adding a fraction to a whole 
Rewrite the whole as a fraction using <span> -2 </span> as the denominator :
x x • -2 x = — = —————— 1 -2
<span>Equivalent fraction : </span>The fraction thus generated looks different but has the same value as the whole 
<span>Common denominator : </span>The equivalent fraction and the other fraction involved in the calculation share the same denominator
Adding fractions that have a common denominator :
<span> 2.2 </span>      Adding up the two equivalent fractions 
Add the two equivalent fractions which now have a common denominator
Combine the numerators together, put the sum or difference over the common denominator then reduce to lowest terms if possible:
x • 2 + 11 • -1 2x - 11 ——————————————— = ——————— 2 2 <span>Equation at the end of step  2  :</span> (2x - 11) -8 - ————————— = 0 2 <span>Step  3  :</span>Rewriting the whole as an Equivalent Fraction :
<span> 3.1 </span>  Subtracting a fraction from a whole 
Rewrite the whole as a fraction using <span> 2 </span> as the denominator :
-8 -8 • 2 -8 = —— = —————— 1 2 Adding fractions that have a common denominator :
<span> 3.2 </span>      Adding up the two equivalent fractions 
-8 • 2 - ((2x-11)) -2x - 5 —————————————————— = ——————— 2 2 <span>Step  4  :</span>Pulling out like terms :
<span> 4.1 </span>    Pull out like factors :
   -2x - 5  =   -1 • (2x + 5) 
<span>Equation at the end of step  4  :</span> -2x - 5 ——————— = 0 2 <span>Step  5  :</span>When a fraction equals zero :<span><span> 5.1 </span>   When a fraction equals zero ...</span>
Where a fraction equals zero, its numerator, the part which is above the fraction line, must equal zero.
Now,to get rid of the <span>denominator, </span>Tiger multiplys both sides of the equation by the denominator.
Here's how:
-2x-5 ————— • 2 = 0 • 2 2
Now, on the left hand side, the <span> 2 </span> cancels out the denominator, while, on the right hand side, zero times anything is still zero.
The equation now takes the shape :
   -2x-5  = 0
Solving a Single Variable Equation :
<span> 5.2 </span>     Solve  :    -2x-5 = 0<span> 
 </span>Add  5  to both sides of the equation :<span> 
 </span>                     -2x = 5 
Multiply both sides of the equation by (-1) :  2x = -5 
Divide both sides of the equation by 2:
                     x = -5/2 = -2.500 
solution                  <span> x = -5/2 = -2.500</span>