Solve the equation, keeping the value for x as an improper fraction. 2 3 x = − 1 2 x + 5 1. isolate the variable by adding 1 2 x to both sides: 1 2 x + 2 3 x = 5 2. use the common denominator to add terms: 3 6 x + 4 6 x = 5 7 6 x = 5 3. multiply by the reciprocal: 6 7 (7 6 )x = 5(6 7 ) x =