Step by step
The question
Question: solve x/3 + 2 = x/2.
1 Remove the fractions
The bottom numbers are 3 and 2.
6 can be divided by all of them.
We multiply every part by 6.
We do it on both sides.
Why both sides?
The = sign means both sides are the same amount.
If we change only one side, they are not the same any more.
6 divided by 3 is 2.
6 divided by 2 is 3.
Write what is left.
Do the multiplications.
No more fractions!
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.
2x and − 2x make zero.
Cross them out.
3x − 2x = x.
Now we have 12 = x.
Let's swap the two sides, so x is on the left.
So x = 12!
3 Check
Let's check: put 12 in place of x.
First the left side.
Now the right side.
Both sides are 6.
So x = 12 is right!
Let's look back.
First: remove the fractions.
Then: get x on one side.
Last: check.