Pearson Algebra 1 Common Core, 2011
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Pearson Algebra 1 Common Core, 2011 View details
3. Solving Multi-Step Equations
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Exercise 37 Page 98

Multiply by the denominator to eliminate the fractions.

z=1/5

Practice makes perfect

We can eliminate fractions in an equation by multiplying the entire equation by the greatest denominator. In this equation, our greatest denominator is 16. Let's try to solve for z.

11z/16+7z/8=5/16
(11z/16+7z/8)*16=5/16*16
11z/16*16+7z/8*16=5/16*16
11z+7z/8*16=5
11z+7z*16/8=5
11z+7z*2/1=5
11z+7z*2=5
11z+14z=5
25z=5
z=5/25
z=1/5

Let's check our solution by substituting it into the original equation.

11z/16+7z/8=5/16
11( 1/5)/16+7( 1/5)/8? =5/16
11*1/5/16+7*1/5/8? =5/16
11*1/5*16+7*1/5*8? =5/16
11/80+7/40? =5/16
11/80+14/80? =5/16
11+14/80? =5/16
25/80? =5/16
5/16=5/16

Since the left-hand side and right-hand side are equal, we know our solution is correct.