30 points! answer and show work for both! (5x−1)/7 + (4x−3)/2 − (3−2x)/2 = 6 (4x−3)/2 − (5−2x)/3 − (3x−4)/3 = 5

The recommended approach for such equations is to eliminate fractions first, by multiplying by the LCM of the denominators. You can simply simplify, then work them as a 2-step linear equation, doing your arithmetic with the fractions as they are.

a) (5x-1)/7 + (4x-3)/2 -(3-2x)/2 = 6 . . . . . given

... 2(5x -1) +7(4x -3) -7(3 -2x) = 84 . . . . . multiply by 14

... 10x -2 +28x -21 -21 +14x = 84 . . . . . . eliminate parentheses

... 52x -44 = 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . collect terms

... 52x = 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . add 44

... x = 32/13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . divide by 52 and simplify

b) (4x−3)/2 − (5−2x)/3 − (3x−4)/3 = 5 . . . given

... 2x -3/2 -5/3 +(2/3)x -x +4/3 = 5 . . . . . . .eliminate parentheses

... (5/3)x -11/6 = 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . simplify

... (5/3)x = 41/6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . add 11/6

... x = (41/6)/(5/3) = 41/10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .divide by the coefficient of x

Using the first method, you're dealing with integers and you can do a lot of the math in your head. Using the second method, you're dealing with fractions and mixed numbers. A calculator can be helpful, especially if it handles arithmetic with fractions nicely, as many graphing calculators do.

step-by-step explanation:

points a and b are equidistant from the desired line, so the line you find by using them will go through point r.

using points other than a and b will give the desired line only if they are equidistant from r. if they are randomly located, the perpendicular line you create will not necessarily go through point r, hence will not be a solution to the problem.