How Do You Solve for a Variable in a Fraction Using Multiplication First?

How Do You Solve for a Variable in a Fraction Using Multiplication First?

Note:

Trying to solve an equation involving a fraction? Just multiply the fraction away and then perform the order of operations in reverse! See how in this tutorial.

Keywords:

  • problem
  • variable
  • division
  • solve
  • fraction
  • reciprocal
  • multiply
  • fractions
  • multiply by reciprocal
  • cancel fractions
  • subtraction property of equality
  • division property of equality
  • multiple step solution
  • multi-step
  • multiple operations
  • flip
  • equation
  • variable on 1 side
  • 1 variable
  • variable in numerator

Background Tutorials

  • Evaluating Expressions

      • How Do You Evaluate an Algebraic Expression?How Do You Evaluate an Algebraic Expression?

      How Do You Evaluate an Algebraic Expression?

      Plugging variables into an expression is essential for solving many algebra problems. See how to plug in variable values by watching this tutorial.

      • How Do You Use the Order of Operations?How Do You Use the Order of Operations?

      How Do You Use the Order of Operations?

      If you're trying to simplify some math expressions, you have to do it in the right order. If you've ever wondered how to do that, check out this example tutorial where you'll see exactly what order you need to follow:)

      • What is a Variable?What is a Variable?

      What is a Variable?

      You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!

  • Solving Equations by Subtracting

      • What's the Subtraction Property of Equality?What's the Subtraction Property of Equality?

      What's the Subtraction Property of Equality?

      Solving equations can be tough, especially if you've forgotten or have trouble understanding the tools at your disposal. One of those tools is the subtraction property of equality, and it lets you subtract the same number from both sides of an equation. Watch the video to see it in action!

  • Solving Equations by Multiplying

      • What's the Multiplication Property of Equality?What's the Multiplication Property of Equality?

      What's the Multiplication Property of Equality?

      Solving equations can be tough, especially if you've forgotten or have trouble understanding the tools at your disposal. One of those tools is the multiplication property of equality, and it lets you multiply both sides of an equation by the same number. Watch the video to see it in action!

  • Solving Equations by Dividing

      • What's the Division Property of Equality?What's the Division Property of Equality?

      What's the Division Property of Equality?

      Solving equations can be tough, especially if you've forgotten or have trouble understanding the tools at your disposal. One of those tools is the division property of equality, and it lets you divide both sides of an equation by the same number. Watch the video to see it in action!

Further Exploration

  • Solving One-Step Fraction Equations

      • How Do You Solve an Equation Where You're Multiplying Fractions?How Do You Solve an Equation Where You're Multiplying Fractions?

      How Do You Solve an Equation Where You're Multiplying Fractions?

      Solving an equation with multiple fractions in different forms isn't so bad. This tutorial shows you how to convert a mixed fraction to an improper fraction in order to solve the equation. Then, you'll see how to convert the answer back to a mixed fraction to make sense of it. Follow along with this tutorial to see how it's done!