16Hit1600
AlgebraHardEquation with two fractions subtracted

Algebra practice question

If (x + 4)/3 − (x − 2)/5 = 4, what is the value of x?

Answer: 17

Multiply by 15: 5(x + 4) − 3(x − 2) = 60 → 5x + 20 − 3x + 6 = 60 → 2x = 34 → x = 17.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 7
7 comes from 2x = 14, subtracting 6 instead of adding it.
If you answered 23
23 comes from 5x + 20 − 3x − 6 = 60, not distributing the minus sign to −2.
If you answered 34
34 is 2x, before dividing by 2.

More Algebra questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.