How do you solve 12/21= (x-5)/x?

1 Answer
Mar 10, 2016

x = 105/9 or 11(6)/9 or 11(2)/3

Explanation:

12/21 = (x-5)/x

Cross multiply to eliminate the denominators.
12(x) = (x-5)21

Use distributive property to eliminate the ( ).
12x = 21x - 105

Combine like terms.
12x - 21x = cancel(21x) - cancel(21x) - 105

-9x = -105

Divide by the coefficient to isolate the variable.
(cancel(-9)x)/cancel(-9) = -105/-9

x = 105/9 or 11(6)/9 or 11(2)/3