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Solve 4/x + 2 = 6

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Rational equations · Algebra 2

Step by step

The question

Question: solve 4/x + 2 = 6.

4x + 2 = 6

First: a bottom can never be 0.

x at the bottom can't be 0.

So x ≠ 0.

x ≠ 0

1 Remove the fractions

The bottom is x.

Times x will remove it.

We multiply every part by x.

We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.

x × 4x + x × 2 = x × 6

x divided by x is 1.

x times 2 is 2x.

x times 6 is 6x.

Write what is left.

No more fractions!

4 + 2x = 6x

2 Get x on one side

There is x on both sides.

We want x on one side only.

So we remove the 2x from the left side.

To remove 2x, we take away 2x.

We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.

4 + 2x − 2x = 6x − 2x

+ 2x and − 2x make zero.

Cross them out.

6x − 2x = 4x.

6x − 2x = 4x

Now we have 4 = 4x.

4 = 4x

Let's swap the two sides, so x is on the left.

4x = 4

3 Remove the 4

4x means 4 times x.

We want just x.

To remove times 4, we divide by 4.

We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.

4x4 = 44

4 divided by 4 is 1.

So just x is left.

4 divided by 4 is 1.

44 = 1

So x = 1!

x = 1

4 Check

Let's check: put 1 in place of x.

First the left side.

Left: 41 + 2 = 4 + 2 = 6

Now the right side.

Right: 6

Both sides are 6.

So x = 1 is right!

Both sides equal 6

Let's look back.

First: remove the fractions.

Then: get x on one side.

Then: remove the 4.

Last: check.

Answer
x = 1

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

6x + 2 = 8
Show the answer
x = 1

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