Thread: I'm confused with some high school level algebra, help please?
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Old July 1st, 2008, 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by celestine View Post
I have the answers, but I'm just not sure how to get to that. I'm hoping some one can explain to me.


3)solve for x if: 1/x + 2/y = 3/z

-answer: -zy/2z-3y or zy/3y-2z
so I know what I do in this is isolate the 1/x from the rest and some how get rid of the numerator of 1, but I'm not sure how to do that. Or if thats even the correct method.
Ok. I'll help on #3 as well.

\frac{1}{x}+\frac{2}{y}=\frac{3}{z}

Multiply all three terms by the common denominator xyz

yz+2xz=3xy

Isolate x terms to the left side of the equation:

2xz-3xy=-yz

Factor out the x:

x(2z-3y)=-yz

Divide both sides by 2z-3y

x=\frac{-yz}{2z-3y}\Longrightarrow\frac{-zy}{2z-3y}\Longrightarrow\frac{zy}{3y-2z}
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