1368.31 – What's That Fraction?


Twice the fraction plus half the fraction, all that times the fraction, equals the fraction. What's the fraction?


Solution

If xx is the fraction, then

(2x+x2)x=x2x+x2=1 (assuming x0)4x+x=25x=2x=25\begin{aligned}\left( 2x + \dfrac{x}{2} \right) x &= x \\2x + \dfrac{x}{2} &= 1 \text{ (assuming } x \neq 0 \text{)} \\4 x + x &= 2\\5x &= 2 \\x &= \dfrac{2}{5}\end{aligned}

Two-fifths! That's the fraction. Run it through the problem's specs to make sure.