Pre-Algebra Examples

$x + \frac{1}{4} = - \frac{1}{2}$

Step 1

Subtract $\frac{1}{4}$ from both sides of the equation.

$x = - \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{4}$

Step 2

To write $- \frac{1}{2}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$x = - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{2}{2} - \frac{1}{4}$

Step 3

Write each expression with a common denominator of $4$ , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of $1$ .

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Step 3.1

Multiply $\frac{1}{2}$ by $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$x = - \frac{2}{2 \cdot 2} - \frac{1}{4}$

Step 3.2

Multiply $2$ by $2$ .

$x = - \frac{2}{4} - \frac{1}{4}$

Step 4

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$x = \frac{- 2 - 1}{4}$

Step 5

Subtract $1$ from $- 2$ .

$x = \frac{- 3}{4}$

Step 6

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$x = - \frac{3}{4}$

Step 7

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$x = - \frac{3}{4}$

Decimal Form:

$x = - 0.75$