GCSE Maths Algebra Equations Solving Equations
Equations With Fractions
Here we will learn about equations with fractions, including solving equations with fractions where the unknown is the denominator of a fraction.
There are also equations with fractions worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.
What are equations with fractions?
Equations with fractions involve solving equations where the unknown variable is part of the numerator and/or the denominator of the fraction.
To solve equations with fractions we need to work out what the value of the unknown variable. We solve equations by using the “balancing method” by applying the inverse operation to both sides of the equation.
The inverse operation of addition is subtraction.
The inverse operation of subtraction is addition.
The inverse operation of multiplication is division.
The inverse operation of division is multiplication.
For example,
What are equations with fractions?
How to solve equations with fractions
In order to solve equations with fraction:
- Identify the operations that are being applied to the unknown variable.
- Apply the inverse operations, one at a time, to both sides of the equation.
- Write the final answer, checking that it is correct.
How to solve equations with fractions
Equations with fractions worksheet
Get your free Equations with fractions worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.
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Equations with fractions worksheet
Get your free Equations with fractions worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.
DOWNLOAD FREE
Related lessons onsolving equations
Equations with fractionsis part of our series of lessons to support revision onsolving equations. You may find it helpful to start with the mainsolving equationslesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:
- Solving equations
- Quadratic equations
- Linear equations
- Forming and solving equations
- Iteration maths
Equations with fractions examples
Example 1: equations with one operation
Solve:
\[\frac{x}{5}=4\]
- Identify the operations that are being applied to the unknown variable.
The unknown variable is
Looking at the left hand side of the equation, the
\[\frac{x}{5}\]
2Apply the inverse operations, one at a time, to both sides of the equation.
The inverse of “dividing by
We need to multiply both sides of the equation by
3Write the final answer, checking that it is correct.
The final answer is:
\[x=20\]
We can check the answer by substituting the answer back into the original equation.
\[\frac{20}{5}=20\div5=4\]
Example 2: equations with one operation
Solve:
\[\frac{x}{3}=8\]
Identify the operations that are being applied to the unknown variable.
The unknown variable is
Looking at the left hand side of the equation, the
\[\frac{x}{3}\]
Apply the inverse operations, one at a time, to both sides of the equation.
The inverse of “dividing by
We need to multiply both sides of the equation by
Write the final answer, checking that it is correct.
The final answer is:
\[x=24\]
We can check the answer by substituting the answer back into the original equation.
\[\frac{24}{3}=24\div3=8 \]
Example 3: equations with two operations
Solve:
\[\frac{x+1}{2}=7\]
Identify the operations that are being applied to the unknown variable.
The unknown variable is
Looking at the left hand side of the equation,
\[\frac{x+1}{2}\]
Apply the inverse operations, one at a time, to both sides of the equation.
We need to do the inverse operations in the reverse order.
First we need to multiply both sides of the equation by
Then we need to subtract
Write the final answer, checking that it is correct.
The final answer is:
\[x=13\]
We can check the answer by substituting the answer back into the original equation.
\[\frac{13+1}{2}=\frac{14}{2}=14\div2=7\]
Example 4: equations with two operations
Solve:
\[\frac{x}{4}-2=3\]
Identify the operations that are being applied to the unknown variable.
The unknown variable is
Looking at the left hand side of the equation,
\[\frac{x}{4}-2\]
Apply the inverse operations, one at a time, to both sides of the equation.
We need to do the inverse operations in the reverse order.
First we need to add
Then we need to multiply both sides of the equation by
Write the final answer, checking that it is correct.
The final answer is:
\[x=20\]
We can check the answer by substituting the answer back into the original equation.
\[\frac{20}{4}-2=20\div4 -2=5-2=3\]
Example 5: equations with three operations
Solve:
\[\frac{3x}{5}+1=7\]
Identify the operations that are being applied to the unknown variable.
The unknown variable is
Looking at the left hand side of the equation,
\[\frac{3x}{5}+1\]
Apply the inverse operations, one at a time, to both sides of the equation.
We need to do the inverse operations in the reverse order.
First we need to subtract
Then we need to multiply both sides of the equation by
Write the final answer, checking that it is correct.
The final answer is:
\[x=10\]
We can check the answer by substituting the answer back into the original equation.
\[\frac{3\times10}{5}+1=\frac{30}{5}+1=6+1=7\]
Example 6: equations with three operations
Solve:
\[\frac{2x-1}{7}=3\]
Identify the operations that are being applied to the unknown variable.
The unknown variable is
Looking at the left hand side of the equation,
\[\frac{2x-1}{7}\]
Apply the inverse operations, one at a time, to both sides of the equation.
We need to do the inverse operations in the reverse order.
First we need to multiply both sides of the equation by
Then we need to add
Write the final answer, checking that it is correct.
The final answer is:
\[x=11\]
We can check the answer by substituting the answer back into the original equation.
\[\frac{2\times11 -1}{7}=\frac{22-1}{7}=\frac{21}{7}=3\]
Example 7: equations with the unknown as the denominator
Solve:
\[\frac{24}{x}=6\]
Identify the operations that are being applied to the unknown variable.
The unknown variable is
Looking at the left hand side of the equation,
\[\frac{24}{x}\]
Apply the inverse operations, one at a time, to both sides of the equation.
We need to multiply both sides of the equation by
Then we can divide both sides by
Write the final answer, checking that it is correct.
The final answer is:
\[x=4\]
We can check the answer by substituting the answer back into the original equation.
\[\frac{24}{4}=24\div4=6\]
Example 8: equations with the unknown as the denominator
Solve:
\[\frac{18}{x}-6=3\]
Identify the operations that are being applied to the unknown variable.
The unknown variable is
Looking at the left hand side of the equation,
\[\frac{18}{x}-6\]
Apply the inverse operations, one at a time, to both sides of the equation.
First we add
Then we need to multiply both sides of the equation by
Then we can divide both sides by
Write the final answer, checking that it is correct.
The final answer is:
\[x=2\]
We can check the answer by substituting the answer back into the original equation.
\[\frac{18}{2}-6=9-6=3\]
Common misconceptions
- Types of number
The solution to an equation can be different types of number. The unknown does not have to be an integer (whole numbers), it can also be a fraction or a decimal and can be positive or negative.
- The side of the equation that th unknown is on
The unknown variable, represented by a letter, is often on the left hand side of the equations however it doesn’t have to be. It could also be on the right hand side of an equation.
- Multiplying both sides of an equation
When multiplying each side of the equation of a number, it is a common mistake to forget to multiply every term.
E.g.
Solve: \frac{x}{2}+3=9
Here we have not multiplied the
Here we have correctly multiplied each term by the denominator:
- Lowest common denominator (LCD)
It is common to get confused between solving equations involving fractions and adding and subtracting fractions. When adding and subtracting we need to work out the lowest/least common denominator (sometimes called the lowest common multiple or lcm) whereas when we solve equations involving fractions we need to multiply both sides of the equation by the denominator of the fraction.
Practice equations with fractions questions
1. Solve: \frac{x}{6}=3
x=18
x=9
x=36
x=12
2. Solve: \frac{x+4}{2}=7
x=18
x=10
x=26
x=30
3. Solve: \frac{x}{8}-5=1
x=40
x=48
x=64
x=56
4. Solve: \frac{3x+2}{4}=2
x=4
x=16
x=12
x=2
5. Solve: \frac{4x}{7}-2=6
x=11
x=7
x=14
x=10
6. Solve: \frac{42}{x}=7
x=5
x=294
x=7
x=6
Equations with fractions GCSE questions
1. Solve \frac{x}{5}=3
(1 mark)
Show answer
x=15
for the correct answer
(1)
2. Solve \frac{x-3}{7}=2
(2 marks)
Show answer
x-3=14
for the correct first step
(1)
x=17
for the correct answer
(1)
3. Solve \frac{5a+6}{2}=23
(3 marks)
Show answer
5a+6=46
for the correct first step
(1)
5a=40
for the correct second step
(1)
x=8
for the correct answer
(1)
Learning checklist
You have now learned how to:
- Solve equations when there are fractions
- Solve fractions where the unknown is the denominator
The next lessons are
- Factorising
- Rearranging equations
- Simultaneous equations
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