Solve 8/x = 4
Rational equation, worked out line by line the way a teacher would write it.
Answer
| Solution | x = 2 |
Step-by-step solution
8 steps-
1 Given\frac{8}{x} = 4
Solve for x.
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2 Note the values that make a denominator zero — they can never be solutions
Dividing by zero is undefined, so a value that makes a denominator 0 can never be a solution, even if it turns up as an answer later.
x \neq 0 -
3 Multiply every term by the least common denominator x
Multiplying every term on both sides by the least common denominator x cancels every fraction at once. The equation stays balanced because all terms were multiplied by the same thing.
\frac{8}{x} x = x 4This clears all the fractions.
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4 Cancel and simplify8 = 4 x
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5 Swap the two sides so the variable is on the left4 x = 8
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6 Divide both sides by 4
Dividing both sides by 4 undoes the multiplication by 4, so the variable is left on its own. Both sides change in the same way, so the equation stays true (dividing by 0 is the one thing that is never allowed).
x = \frac{8}{4} -
7 Simplifyx = 2
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8 Check\begin{aligned}x = 2:\quad 4 = 4\quad\checkmark\end{aligned}
Substituting each solution back makes both sides equal.
Check by substitution
| x | Left side | Right side | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 | 4 | ✓ |
Change a number or try your own problem: the solver works it out the same way, with a graph and hint mode.