Question

-1/3x+2x=3 3/4 what does the variable represent?

Answer 1

Start off by combining like terms on the LHS (the terms with x in them).

So we get $\frac{-1}{3}x+2x= \frac{-1}{3}x+ \frac{6}{3}x= \frac{-5}{3}x$

Replacing this result with what we had before on the LHS, we get $\frac{-5}{3}x=3 \frac{3}{4}= \frac{9}{4}$

⇒Solve for x (divide both sides $\frac{-5}{3}$)
⇒Don't forget about reciprocity rules when dividing.  This is the same as multiplying both sides by $\frac{3}{-5}$

⇒$x= \frac{9}{4}( \frac{3}{-5})$
⇒$x= -\frac{27}{20}=-1\frac{7}{20}$ ***This is a proper fraction

Answer 2

Add -1/3x and 2x and you get 5/3. Then your equation is 5/3 = 3 3/4. Turn 3 3/4 into a fraction and you get 15/4. Multiply both sides by 3/5 and you have x = 9/4

So the variable represents 9/4