When an equation has fractions in it, the trick is to get rid of the fractions first. Multiply every term on both sides by the common denominator — the same idea you used when adding and subtracting algebraic fractions, but here it clears the equation in one stroke. Take:

The denominators are 2 and 3, so a common denominator is 6. Multiply every term by 6:

Each fraction cancels cleanly — that is the whole point of the common denominator — leaving a tidy equation with no fractions at all:

Now it is an ordinary linear equation. Collect like terms and solve as usual, just like an equation with unknowns on both sides:

See it solved

Step through the same solution one line at a time. Watch the fractions disappear the moment every term is multiplied by 6, then the rest is routine.

Clearing fractions before solving is the same move you make when rearranging formulae that contain fractions: multiply through to tidy up first, then carry on.

See it explained

Sal Khan solves an equation with the unknown in a denominator by multiplying both sides to clear the fractions.