Algebra · real student question

Solve (350 + 6X)/16 = (450 - 6X)/9 for X.

Question

Solve for XX:

350+6X16=4506X9\frac{350+6X}{16}=\frac{450-6X}{9}

Step-by-step solution

  1. Recognise the equation as a proportion. Each side is a single fraction, so cross-multiplication applies directly. Both denominators are nonzero constants, so there is no domain restriction to worry about here.

  2. Cross-multiply. Multiply each numerator by the opposite denominator:

    9(350+6X)=16(4506X)9(350+6X)=16(450-6X)

  3. Expand both sides. Keep the sign on the 6X-6X term when distributing 1616:

    3150+54X=720096X3150+54X=7200-96X

  4. Gather the XX terms on one side and the constants on the other. Add 96X96X, then subtract 31503150:

    3150+150X=7200150X=40503150+150X=7200\quad\Longrightarrow\quad 150X=4050

  5. Divide to finish.

    X=4050150=27X=\frac{4050}{150}=27

  6. Substitute back into the original fractions. With X=27X=27: the left side is 350+16216=51216=32\dfrac{350+162}{16}=\dfrac{512}{16}=32, and the right side is 4501629=2889=32\dfrac{450-162}{9}=\dfrac{288}{9}=32. Both equal 3232, so X=27X=27 is confirmed.

Answer

X=27X = 27

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