Example

Solving 54x+6=14x2\frac{5}{4}x + 6 = \frac{1}{4}x - 2 by Collecting Variables and Constants

To solve 54x+6=14x2\frac{5}{4}x + 6 = \frac{1}{4}x - 2, observe that both sides contain a variable term with a fractional coefficient as well as a constant term. Because 54>14\frac{5}{4} > \frac{1}{4}, designate the left side as the variable side and the right side as the constant side.

Step 1 — Remove the variable term from the constant side: Since 14x\frac{1}{4}x is on the constant side, subtract 14x\frac{1}{4}x from both sides using the Subtraction Property of Equality:

54x14x+6=14x14x2\frac{5}{4}x - \frac{1}{4}x + 6 = \frac{1}{4}x - \frac{1}{4}x - 2

Combine the like terms on the left: the fractional coefficients share the denominator 44, so 5414=44=1\frac{5}{4} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{4}{4} = 1. The equation simplifies to x+6=2x + 6 = -2. Now the variable appears only on the left.

Step 2 — Remove the constant from the variable side: The constant 66 is on the variable side, so subtract 66 from both sides:

x+66=26x + 6 - 6 = -2 - 6

x=8x = -8

Because the coefficient of xx is already 11, no further division is needed.

Step 3 — Check by substitution: Replace xx with 8-8 in the original equation:

54(8)+6=?14(8)2\frac{5}{4}(-8) + 6 \stackrel{?}{=} \frac{1}{4}(-8) - 2

10+6=?22-10 + 6 \stackrel{?}{=} -2 - 2

4=4-4 = -4 \checkmark

Because both sides are equal, x=8x = -8 is confirmed as the correct solution. This example demonstrates that the collecting technique works identically when the variable terms have fractional coefficients. When two fractions with the same denominator are subtracted — here 54x14x\frac{5}{4}x - \frac{1}{4}x — the numerators are combined over the common denominator, and the result may simplify to a whole number, making the remaining steps straightforward.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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