How do I simplify this fraction?

[TheTechNoir]

Okay so I am perplexed as to how I could be getting something so simple wrong and was wondering if I could be shown the proper steps/order for solving. It can be anything in this specific format, not anyone example. ex:

11\frac{(x + 4}{6}) - 2 = ??

how do I simplfy? Thanks
also, those are supposed to be big brackets covering the whole fraction not just the numerator and ignore the closing bracket at end of the denominator... I haven't really written math on a pc before so I messed it up a bit. EDIT: Also, to further verify considering how it is incorrectly formatted, that 11 is not part of the fraction. Neither is the 2.

 

[statdad]

So you are supposed to have

<br /> 11 \left( \frac{x+4} 6\right) - 2<br />

as the expression to simplify?

What answer did you get - that will help given an idea where you went astray.

 

[TheTechNoir]

Yup that is correct. Another example of it that I see (and have an answer for) is:

<br /> 2 \left( \frac{x+2} 6\right) - 6<br />

= \frac{x - 16}{3}

I am misunderstanding something. I am getting the x over 3, but not the 16. I'm multiplying 2 and x for 2x, 2 and 2 for 4 so 2x + 4 all over 6. Which gives me x + 2 all over 3, then I subtract the 6 for x - 4 all over 3. Feel embarassed but have been racking my brain trying to come up with a method that could've been used to get the 16 and have attempted several different ways but never get the right answer.

PS: The reason I put this here and not homework help is it technically isn't a homework question... Dunno what the right decision was though I got hung up on technicalities. I'm doing inverse-functions homework and humerously enough I'm doing fine with everything else, but this is the one thing I can't seem to figure out which is also among the easiest.

 

[Integral]

You cannot just add or subtract the whole number from the fraction, you need to put it over the common denominator.

 

[TheTechNoir]

Okay so the step I'm not following is the - 3 * 6 all over 3.

How did you get that? I understand everything you wrote/how to do it, but I don't know where you got that part from.

EDIT: In response to Integral. Okay, that was what I had in mind that he might've been doing. And then you multiply the 6 by 3 because if you add something to the denominator you must also add it to the numerator in this case?

 

[TheTechNoir]

<br /> 11 \left( \frac{x+4} 6\right) - 2<br />

= \frac{11x + 44}{6} that being in brackets - 2

= \frac{11x + 44}{6} - \frac{6 * 2}{6}

= \frac{11x + 44 - 12}{6}

= \frac{11x + 32}{6}

EDIT: Yay, I just tested this and seem to have gotten the correct answer. If someone can confirm that'd be great, but pretty much sure I am doing it correctly now. Thanks very much!

 

[deluks917]

That is correct.