Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: 1/2x - 2/3
In this article, we will discuss how to simplify the algebraic expression 1/2x - 2/3. Simplifying algebraic expressions is an essential skill in mathematics, and it involves combining like terms and eliminating any parentheses or fractions.
Understanding the Expression
The given expression is 1/2x - 2/3. This expression consists of two terms: 1/2x and -2/3.
Simplifying the Expression
To simplify the expression, we need to combine the two terms. However, we cannot combine the terms directly because they have different denominators. To combine the terms, we need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators, which are 2 and 3.
The LCM of 2 and 3 is 6. Therefore, we need to convert both terms to have a denominator of 6:
1/2x = 3/6x (multiply numerator and denominator by 3) -2/3 = -4/6 (multiply numerator and denominator by 2)
Now that both terms have the same denominator, we can combine them:
3/6x - 4/6 = (3x - 4)/6
Thus, the simplified expression is (3x - 4)/6.
Conclusion
In this article, we have successfully simplified the algebraic expression 1/2x - 2/3. We used the concept of least common multiple to combine the two terms and eliminate the fractions. Simplifying algebraic expressions is an important skill in mathematics, and it requires attention to detail and a solid understanding of basic algebraic operations.
