Pre-Algebra : Pre-Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Pre-Algebra

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Example Questions

Example Question #105 : One Step Equations

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) in the following equation.

\(\displaystyle \frac{x}{4} = 8\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x = 12\)

\(\displaystyle x = \frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle x = 2\)

\(\displaystyle x = 32\)

\(\displaystyle x = 4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x = 32\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \frac{x}{4} = 8\)

 

When solving for x, we need to get x alone.  To do that, we need to multiply both sides by 4.

\(\displaystyle \frac{x}{4} * 4 = 8 * 4\)

 

Multiply through.

\(\displaystyle \frac{4x}{4} = 32\)

 

Simplify.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1x}{1} = 32\)

 

Solution.

\(\displaystyle x = 32\)

Example Question #106 : One Step Equations

Find the solution for g.

\(\displaystyle g - \frac{3}{4} = \frac{3}{4}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle g= 1\)

\(\displaystyle g= \frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{6}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle g = \frac{6}{4}=\frac{3}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle g= 0\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle g = \frac{6}{4}=\frac{3}{2}\)

Explanation:

This is a simple one-step equation. The objective is to solve for g and isolate it on the right side. 

The steps are as follows:

\(\displaystyle g-\frac{3}{4}+\frac{3}{4}=\frac{3}{4}+\frac{3}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle g = \frac{3}{4}+\frac{3}{4}=\frac{6}{4}=\frac{3}{2}\)

You can check your answer by inserting g into the original equation as follows.

\(\displaystyle \frac{6}{4}-\frac{3}{4}=\frac{3}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}=\frac{3}{4}\)

It works!

Example Question #107 : One Step Equations

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) in the following equation:

\(\displaystyle x + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{4}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle -\frac{1}{4}\)\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{2}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}\)

Explanation:

When solving for x, we want to get x to stand alone.  We subtract \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\) from both sides.  We get

\(\displaystyle x + \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{2}\)

We must find a common denominator.  In this case, the lowest common denominator is 4.  So we get

\(\displaystyle x = \frac{3}{4} - \frac{2}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle x = \frac{1}{4}\)

Example Question #108 : One Step Equations

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) in the following equation:

\(\displaystyle -\frac{2}{3} + x = \frac{4}{5}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{6}{15}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{6}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{22}{15}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{15}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{8}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{22}{15}\)

Explanation:

When solving for x, we must get x to stand by itself.  Therefore, in the equation

\(\displaystyle -\frac{2}{3} + x = \frac{4}{5}\)

we will add \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}\) to both sides.  We get

\(\displaystyle -\frac{2}{3} + x + \frac{2}{3} = \frac{4}{5} + \frac{2}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle x = \frac{4}{5} + \frac{2}{3}\)

To add the fractions, we must find a common denominator.  

In this case, it's 15.  

So,

\(\displaystyle x = \frac{12}{15} + \frac{10}{15}\)

\(\displaystyle x = \frac{22}{15}\)

Example Question #291 : Algebraic Equations

Solve for a in the following equation:

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3} + a = \frac{1}{2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle a = \frac{3}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle a = \frac{1}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle a = \frac{-1}{-1}\)

\(\displaystyle a = -\frac{1}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle a = \frac{7}{6}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle a = -\frac{1}{6}\)

Explanation:

When solving for a, we want to get a by itself.  So in the equation,

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3} + a = \frac{1}{2}\)

we must subtract \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}\) from both sides.  We get

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3} + a - \frac{2}{3} = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{2}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle a = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{2}{3}\)

When subtracting fractions, we need to find a common denominator.  In this case, it's 6.  So,

\(\displaystyle a = \frac{3}{6} - \frac{4}{6}\)

Now, we subtract the numerators and get

\(\displaystyle a = - \frac{1}{6}\)

Example Question #851 : Pre Algebra

Solve the following equation:

 

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}x=\frac{3}{5}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{3}{25}\)

None of the above.

\(\displaystyle x=3\)

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{8}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle x=15\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=3\)

Explanation:

This is a one-step problem in which you need to multiply both sides by \(\displaystyle 5\) to isolate "x."

You will then get:

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{3}{5}*5\)

The fives cancel and you are left with:

\(\displaystyle x=3\)

Example Question #852 : Pre Algebra

Solve for \(\displaystyle p\).

\(\displaystyle p-\frac{2}{5}=3\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle p=\frac{17}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle p=3\)

\(\displaystyle p=\frac{13}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle p=4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle p=\frac{17}{5}\)

Explanation:

Perform the same operation on both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle p-\frac{2}{5}=3\)

It will be easier to write the right side of the equation as a fraction.

\(\displaystyle 3=\frac{15}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle p-\frac{2}{5}=\frac{15}{5}\)

Now, we add two-fifths to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle p-\frac{2}{5}+\frac{2}{5}=\frac{15}{5}+\frac{2}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle p=\frac{17}{5}\)

 

Example Question #1 : One Step Equations With Decimals

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\):

\(\displaystyle 0.75x=9\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 9.75\)

\(\displaystyle 12\)

\(\displaystyle 21\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 12\)

Explanation:

The goal is to isolate the variable on one side.

\(\displaystyle 0.75x=9\)

Divide each side by \(\displaystyle 0.75\):

\(\displaystyle \frac{0.75x}{0.75}=\frac{9}{0.75 }\)

\(\displaystyle x=12\)

Example Question #2 : One Step Equations With Decimals

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\):

\(\displaystyle 9.25x=74\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 8\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle -4\)

\(\displaystyle -8\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8\)

Explanation:

The goal is to isolate the variable on one side.

\(\displaystyle 9.25x=74\)

Divide each side by \(\displaystyle 9.25\):

\(\displaystyle \frac{9.25x}{9.25}=\frac{74}{9.25}\)

\(\displaystyle x=8\)

Example Question #3 : One Step Equations With Decimals

Solve for \(\displaystyle n\):
\(\displaystyle 1.05+n=3.72\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle n=3.54\)

\(\displaystyle n=3.91\)

\(\displaystyle n=4.77\)

\(\displaystyle n=2.67\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle n=2.67\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 1.05+n=3.72\)

\(\displaystyle 1.05+n-1.05=3.72-1.05\)

\(\displaystyle n=2.67\)

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