High School

What term can you add to [tex]\frac{5}{6} x - 4[/tex] to make it equivalent to [tex]\frac{1}{2} x - 4[/tex]?

A. [tex]-\frac{1}{3} x[/tex]
B. [tex]-\frac{1}{3}[/tex]
C. [tex]\frac{1}{2} x[/tex]
D. [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]

Answer :

To solve this problem, we want to figure out what term, when added to [tex]\(\frac{5}{6}x - 4\)[/tex], will make it equal to [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}x - 4\)[/tex].

1. Identify the Parts to Compare:

The expressions [tex]\(\frac{5}{6}x - 4\)[/tex] and [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}x - 4\)[/tex] have the same constant term, [tex]\(-4\)[/tex]. Therefore, we only need to focus on the coefficients of [tex]\(x\)[/tex] to make them equivalent.

2. Set the Equation:

We need to find the term that when added to [tex]\(\frac{5}{6}x\)[/tex] results in [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}x\)[/tex].

Let's say this term is [tex]\(t\)[/tex], such that:

[tex]\[
\frac{5}{6}x + t = \frac{1}{2}x
\][/tex]

3. Find the Value of [tex]\(t\)[/tex]:

Start by isolating [tex]\(t\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
t = \frac{1}{2}x - \frac{5}{6}x
\][/tex]

4. Calculate the Difference:

To subtract these fractions, we need a common denominator. The least common denominator between 2 and 6 is 6. So:

[tex]\[
\frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{6}
\][/tex]

Thus, the equation becomes:

[tex]\[
t = \frac{3}{6}x - \frac{5}{6}x = \left(\frac{3 - 5}{6}\right)x = \frac{-2}{6}x
\][/tex]

5. Simplify the Result:

Simplify [tex]\(\frac{-2}{6}\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
\frac{-2}{6} = -\frac{1}{3}
\][/tex]

Hence, the expression for [tex]\(t\)[/tex] is [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}x\)[/tex].

This tells us that the term we need to add is [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}x\)[/tex] in order to make the equations equivalent. Therefore, the correct answer is [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}x\)[/tex].