Problems 9 and 10 are ordinary linear equations that are solved in the usual way.
All of these problems require you do arithmetic with fractions or mixed numbers. You do these the way you were taught to do arithmetic.
• For addition or subtraction, find a common denominator and express the fractions using that. Add (or subtract) numerators and express the result over the common denominator. • For multiplication, multiply numerators to get the result numerator, multiply denominators to get the result denominator. • Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions the way you were taught: add the fraction numerator to the product of the integer and the denominator, and express the result over the denominator.
9. Add 3 5/6 .. w = (2 1/3) +(3 5/6) .. w = 7/3 +23/6 .. w = 14/6 +23 6 = 37/6 .. w = 6 1/6
10. Add y - (1 1/8) .. 3 1/4 -y = 1 1/8 .. (3 1/4) -(1 1/8) = y .. 13/4 -9/8 = y .. 26/8 -9/8 = 17/8 = y .. 2 1/8 = y
_____ You are expected to be sufficiently competent in arithmetic that the form of the numbers does not throw you. If you're not, this is a good opportunity to practice with mixed numbers and fractions. (Many good calculators make using fractions and mixed numbers easy. Learn to use yours.)
