Solve for X: (32-17)×4×9÷3-50÷x=170 Complex Equation

Order of Operations with Division Notation

How much is Xequal to?

(3217)×4×9 ⁣:350 ⁣:x=170 (32-17)\times4\times9\colon3-50\colon x=170

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve the exercise according to PEMDAS and isolate the variable
00:03 Let's start with the parentheses
00:21 Multiplication and division from left to right
01:04 Subtract 180 from both sides to isolate X
01:18 Multiply both sides by X
01:27 Divide by minus 10 to find X

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

How much is Xequal to?

(3217)×4×9 ⁣:350 ⁣:x=170 (32-17)\times4\times9\colon3-50\colon x=170

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve forx x in the equation (3217)×4×9 ⁣:350 ⁣:x=170 (32 - 17) \times 4 \times 9 \colon 3 - 50 \colon x = 170 , we will follow the order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division (from left to right), and addition and subtraction (from left to right).

Step 1: Evaluate the Parentheses
First, solve the expression inside the parentheses: 3217=15 32 - 17 = 15 .

Substitute back into the equation:
15×4×9 ⁣:350 ⁣:x=170 15 \times 4 \times 9 \colon 3 - 50 \colon x = 170 .

Step 2: Perform Multiplication and Division
Continue with the multiplication and division from left to right.

  • First, multiply15 15 and 4 4 :
    15×4=60 15 \times 4 = 60

  • Next, multiply 60 60 by 9 9 :
    60×9=540 60 \times 9 = 540

  • Then, divide 540 540 by3 3 :
    540 ⁣:3=180 540 \colon 3 = 180

  • Now, subtract 50x \frac{50}{x} from 180 180 :
    18050x=170 180 - \frac{50}{x} = 170

Step 3: Isolate x x
We isolatex x by adding 50x \frac{50}{x} to both sides of the equation:
180=170+50x 180 = 170 + \frac{50}{x}

Subtract 170 from both sides:
180170=50x 180 - 170 = \frac{50}{x}

This simplifies to:
10=50x 10 = \frac{50}{x}

Step 4: Solve forx x
To find x x , solve the equation10x=50 10x = 50 which is derived from multiplying both sides by x x :
x=5010 x = \frac{50}{10}

The value of x x is:
x=5 x = 5

The final answer is 5 5 .

3

Final Answer

5

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • PEMDAS Rule: Parentheses first, then multiplication and division from left to right
  • Division Notation: a ⁣:b a \colon b means ab \frac{a}{b} , so 50 ⁣:x=50x 50 \colon x = \frac{50}{x}
  • Verification Check: Substitute x=5 x = 5 : 180505=18010=170 180 - \frac{50}{5} = 180 - 10 = 170

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Treating division notation as subtraction
    Don't write 50 ÷ x as 50 - x = completely wrong operation! This changes the entire equation and gives impossible answers. Always remember that ÷ or : means division, creating a fraction like 50/x.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( 11=a-16 \)

\( a=\text{?} \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

What does the colon symbol (:) mean in math?

+

The colon (:) is just another way to write division! So 50 ⁣:x 50 \colon x means the same as 50÷x 50 \div x or 50x \frac{50}{x} .

Why do I get the parentheses first?

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The order of operations (PEMDAS) requires parentheses first! In this problem, (3217)=15 (32-17) = 15 must be calculated before any other operations.

How do I handle the variable x in the division?

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When you see 50x \frac{50}{x} , treat it as a single term. After simplifying the rest of the equation, isolate this term and then solve for x by cross-multiplying.

Can I solve this equation differently?

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Yes! You could multiply everything by x first to clear the fraction, but it's easier to simplify the left side first, then isolate the fraction term as shown in the solution.

What if I made a calculation error early on?

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Always double-check each step! Common errors happen with 15×4×9÷3 15 \times 4 \times 9 \div 3 . Work left to right: 15×4=60, 60×9=540, 540÷3=180.

How do I verify my final answer?

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Substitute x=5 x = 5 back into the original equation. You should get 18010=170 180 - 10 = 170 , which matches the right side!

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