x/2-1=x/5+2

[joie_]

[x]/[2] -1 =   [x]/[5]   +2

-2                 -2

[x]/[2]-3=[x]/[5]

Then I go and do this:

[x]/[5]-[x]/[2]-3=[x]/[5]-[x]/[5]

So I end up with this:
[x]/[2]-[x]/[5]-3

I have no idea what I am doing with this problem. And, everything I keep looking at it just "magically" becomes 10.

Comments

[misteral]

Idea 1: How would you calculate something like 1/2 - 1/5? Could you use the same basic technique for x/2 - x/5?

Idea 2: Before collecting the xs together on the same side of the equation, could you clear the fractions by multiplying both sides by 2? Or by 5? Or by some other number?

[just_you_wait]

You're on the right track - assuming x/5 - x/2 - 3 = x/5 - x/5 was a typo and you meant x/2 - x/5 - 3 = x/5 - x/5