# Remove Number Under x

Here you’ll learn how to get rid of the denominator of a fraction where a variable, such as $x$, is in the numerator. This is another form of isolating the variable that you need to learn in order to be able to solve equations.

Rule

1.
Move all the terms containing only numbers over to one side. Remember to change signs.
2.
Move all terms containing $x$ to the opposite side of from the terms containing only numbers. Remember to change signs.
3.
Simplify both sides.
4.
Multiply both sides by the denominator—the number that $x$ is divided by.

Example 1

$\begin{array}{llll}\hfill \frac{x}{3}-4& =3\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}& \hfill & \phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}\\ \hfill \frac{x}{3}& =3+4\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}& \hfill & \phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}\\ \hfill \frac{x}{3}& =7\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}& \hfill & \phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}\\ \hfill 3\cdot \frac{x}{3}& =7\cdot 3\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}& \hfill & \phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}\\ \hfill \text{3}\cdot \frac{x}{\text{3}}& =7\cdot 3\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}& \hfill & \phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}\\ \hfill x& =21\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}& \hfill & \phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}\end{array}$