WEEK 7 LESSON NOTE FOR JSS3 MATHEMATICS

TOPIC: EQUATIONS INVOLVING FRACTIONS

i. Solving simple equations involving fractions.
ii. Word problems leading to simple equation involving fractions
iii. Simplifying expressions involving brackets.

Clearing fractions (revision)

Algebraic fractions with: (i) unknown at the numerator (ii) Unknown at the denominator (iii) binomial
denominators.

Change of subject of formulae and substitution.

CLEARING FRACTIONS/ ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS WITH UNKNOWN AT THE

NUMERATOR
2 3𝑥 3 2𝑦 3
Equations such as 3 + 𝑥 = 1, 2 + 5 = 10, 5 = 5 e.t.c are equations involving fractions.
To solve any of these equations, we consider the L.C.M of the denominators and multiply each
term of the equation by the L.C.M to clear the fractions and solve the equation as usual.

Example 1
𝑥−4 𝑥
Solve the equation: 5 = 2 − 2

Solution
The denominators of the fractions in this The denominators are 3, 5 and 15.
equation are; 5 and 2.
Their L.C.M is 30
L.C.M of 5 and 2 is 10.
We multiply through by this L.C.M. i.e10 × 2𝑥 4 17
Thus, 30 x 3 + 30 x 5 = 30 ×
(𝑥−4) 𝑥 15
= (2 × 10) − (10 × 2) = 2(𝑥 − 4) =
5
20 - 5𝑥
Opening brackets we have,
2𝑥 − 8 = 20 - 5𝑥
Collecting like terms we have,
5𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 20 +8
7𝑥 = 28.
28
Thus,𝑥 = = 4
7

Example 2

2𝑥 4 17
Solve +5=
3 15

Solution
10 x 2𝑥 + 6 x 4 = 2 x 17

20𝑥 + 24 = 3; 20𝑥 = 34 − 24 = 10

10 1
20𝑥 = 10; 𝑥 = =
20 2

CLASS ACTIVITY

Solve
𝑑−7 𝑥 10 2(4𝑥−1) 9(𝑥+1)
(a) =5 (b) 8 = (c) =
2 7 3 4

NOTE: Sometimes it is not necessary to find the L.C.M of the denominators. If the equation has a
single denominator on both sides of the equation, we simply solve the equation by cross multiplying
as illustrated in the next example below.

FRACTIONS WITH UNKNOWNS IN THE DENOMINATOR

2 14 1 1
Example1 Solve i. = ii. − =0
𝑡 21 3𝑟 24
Solution
2 14
i. = 21
𝑡
Cross multiplying, we have,
2 × 21 = 𝑡 × 14
42 = 14𝑡
42
𝑡= =3
14
1 1
ii. − =0
3𝑟 24

Rearranging the terms,

1 1
=
3𝑟 24
Cross multiplying, we have,
1 × 24 = 3𝑟 × 1,
24 = 3𝑟
24
𝑟= =8
3
Example 2
2 3
Solve = 2𝑚−1
𝑚−3
 Solution
Cross multiplying, we have,
2(2𝑚 − 1) = 3(𝑚 − 3)
Opening brackets, we have,
4𝑚 − 2 = 3𝑚 − 9
Collecting like terms
4𝑚 − 3𝑚 = 2 − 9
𝑚 = −7
CLASS ACTIVITY
Solve the following equations
12
1. = 4
𝑥
2 2
2. 3𝑤 − 3 = 0

3
3. 10 = 1 + 𝑥

FRACTIONS WITH BINOMIAL DENOMINATORS

1 16
Expressions of the form𝑎+3 , 2𝑎+5, etc. are examples of algebraic fractions with binomials as
the denominator.
Example:
Solve the following:
1 3 1 1
a) 𝑥+2 = 𝑥−3 b) 2𝑥−1 = 3−𝑥
Solution:
1 3
a) 𝑥+2 = 𝑥−3
Multiply both sides by (x + 2) (x – 3)
1 3
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 3) = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 3)
𝑥+2 𝑥−3
x – 3 = 3(x + 2)
x – 3 = 3x + 6
-3-6 = 3x – x
-9 = 2x
x = -9/2
x = -4 ½
1 1
b) 2𝑥−1 = 3−𝑥

Multiply both sides by (2x – 1) (3 – x)

1 1
(2x – 1) (3 – x) = (2x – 1) (3 – x)
2𝑥 − 1 3−𝑥

3 – x = 2x – 1

3 + 1 = 2x + x

4 = 3x
 4/3 = 3x/3
1
x=1
3

CLASS ACTIVITY

Solve the following equations:

4 7
1. =
𝑚+1 3𝑚 −2

3
2. 4(2𝑥−3) = 1

𝑥−2 5
3. 𝑥−6 = 3

WORD PROBLEMS INVOLVING FRACTIONS.

When solving word problems identify the unknown and represent it by any letter of the
alphabet. Form an equation in terms of the unknown based on the given information and
solve the equation. Study the table below

S. word problem unknow

mathematical form
N n
1 a number added to triple the number k k + 3K
2 Three-quarter of a number subtracted from twice the 3𝑟
r 2r−
number 4
3 The product of 5 and one-quarter of a number added to 𝑚
m 5×( + 10)
ten 4
4 eight subtracted from three times a number is the same as
z 3z – 8 = 2z
twice the number
5 Two-third of a number subtracted from thrice the number 2𝑑
d 3d – =5
gives five 3
6 The positive difference between nine and five ----- 9–5
7 one-quarter of w subtracted from twenty 1
w 20 − ( × 𝑤 )
4

CLASS DRILL
Write the following in mathematical form
i. The positive difference between 2𝑎 and 5𝑏

ii. One-third of a number subtracted from 𝑛 gives ten

iii. Five times m plus twice n gives ten 𝑧

iv. The product of two-fifth of k and two

v. One-fourth of the product of eight and five

vi. Three-fifth of the difference between four and 𝑦

Example1
A fisherman had 30 fish in his net. He ate some of them and discovered that there are 19 fish
left. How many did he eat?
Solution
Total number of fish in the net = 30.
Let number of fish eaten = 𝑥
Number of fish left in the net = 19
Hence, 30 −𝑥= 19
Or 𝑥= 30 – 19 = 11. Hence the man ate 11 fish

Example2
The sum of the ages of a man and his son is 56 years. In 8 years, the ratio of their ages will be
13:5. (a) How old are they now (b) find the difference between their ages.
Solution
(a) Let the age of the man be 𝑚 years.
Therefore the son’s age will be (56 – 𝑚) years.
In 8 years, their ages will be(8 + 𝑚) years (man)
and (8 +56 – m) years (son).
The ratio of their ages at this time is 13:5.
8+𝑚 13
Hence, 8+56−𝑚 = 5
Cross multiplying,
we have 5(8 + m) = 13( 64 – m)
Opening brackets,
40 + 5m = 832 – 13m
Collecting like terms,
5m + 13m = 832 - 40
18m = 792
792
𝑚= = 44.
18
Hence, the man’s age is 44 years and the son’s age is 56 – 44 = 12 years.
(b)The difference between their ages is 44 – 12 = 32

Example3
When a certain number is subtracted from 56 and the result divided by 5, it is the same as if
14 is added to the number and the result divided by 2. Find the number
Solution
Let the number be n
The number subtracted from 56 is 56 – n
56−𝑛
The result divided by 5 is 5

14 added to the number is n + 14

𝑛+14
The result divided by 2 is 2

Hence, according to the given information,

56 − 𝑛 𝑛 + 14
=
5 2
Cross multiplying, we have,
2(56 − 𝑛) = 5(𝑛 + 14)
Opening brackets,
112 – 2n = 5n + 70
Collecting like terms,
2n – 5n = 70 – 112
−3𝑛 = −42
42
n= 3
= 14

n = 14

CLASS ACTIVITY
1. Subtract 8 from 78, then find one-seventh of the result
2. If I add 8 to a certain number and I double the result, my final answer is 36. What is the
number?

FORMULAE AND SUBSTITUTION

Formulae are equations containing variables that stand for specific quantities. The variables are
usually represented by letters.

Substitution means to replace one letter or a set of letters in an algebraic expression or formula with
their numerical values in order to evaluate it.

EXAMPLE:

Find: a) 3y + x2, when x = 2, and y = 4

3 1
b) 𝑚 + 𝑛, where n = 6 and m = 5

Solution:

a) 3y + x2, when x = 2, and y = 4

= 3(4) + 22

= 12 + 4 = 16
3 1
b)𝑚 + 𝑛, where n = 6 and m = 5

3 1 18+5 23
= + = =
5 6 30 30

CHANGING SUBJECT OF A FORMULAR

Example1

Make h the subject of the formula V = πh(R + r)

Solution

To make h the subject of the formula means to make h stand alone.

Divide both sides by π(R + r)

𝑣 𝜋ℎ(𝑅+𝑟)
𝜋(𝑅+𝑟)
= 𝜋(𝑅+𝑟)

𝑣
h = 𝜋(𝑅+𝑟)

Example2: Given 3a – 2b = 8, express a in terms of b. Hence, find a when b = 11.

Solution:

3a – 2b = 8

3a = 8 + 2b
8+2𝑏
a=
3

When a = 11,

8+2(11)
a= 3

8+22
a=
3

a = 30/3

a = 10.

PRACTICE EXERCISE
𝑃𝑅𝑇
1. Make T the subject of the simple interest formula I = .
100

Hence, find how long it takes for a principal of ₦25 000 to earn an interest 0f ₦2 625 at 3% per
annum.

2. If a stone is dropped, the distance d m, which it falls in t seconds is given by the formula d= 4.9t2

a) How far does it fall in 3 seconds?

b) How long does it take to fall 490m

c) How long does it fall in 122 ½ m?

1
d) How far does it fall in 1 7 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠?

3. Solve the equations:

 1 3
a) 4(1−𝑥) = 4(1+𝑥)
2𝑝−1 3𝑝 5
b) + =6
3 4
𝑥 𝑥
c) 3 + 5 = 8

ASSIGNMENT
Solve the following equations:
𝑥+9 2+ 𝑥
1. 5 + 2 = 0
𝑟 1 2𝑟
2. 2 = 2 + 5
2 3 7
3. + 2𝑥 = 8
𝑥
4 3
4. 𝑤+3 − 𝑤+2 = 0
3 2
5. 𝑎−8 + 𝑎−3 = 0