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 the problem, we want to determine what term should be added to [tex]\(\frac{5}{6}x - 4\)[/tex] to make it equivalent to [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}x - 4\)[/tex].

Let's start by setting up the equation:

[tex]\[
\frac{5}{6}x - 4 + \text{term} = \frac{1}{2}x - 4
\][/tex]

Since the "-4" is present on both sides of the equation, they cancel each other out. So, we focus on the [tex]\(x\)[/tex] terms:

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

To find the "term," we need to determine what, when added to [tex]\(\frac{5}{6}x\)[/tex], results in [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}x\)[/tex]. Thus, we get:

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

Now, we'll subtract the fractions involving [tex]\(x\)[/tex].

First, find a common denominator for [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}\)[/tex] and [tex]\(\frac{5}{6}\)[/tex]. The common denominator is 6. Convert [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}\)[/tex] to [tex]\(\frac{3}{6}\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
\text{term} = \frac{3}{6}x - \frac{5}{6}x = -\frac{2}{6}x
\][/tex]

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

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

Therefore, the term we need to add is [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}x\)[/tex].

The correct option from the list is [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}x\)[/tex].