1/2x= 3/(x+5)

what is the value of x

x = -6 and x = 1

Step-by-step explanation:

It's a little easier to see what must be done here if you write this problem as:

                   3

(1/2)x =

               x + 5

Multiply both sides by 2 to eliminate the fraction 1/2:

                6

x =

            x + 5

Now cross multiply:  we get x(x + 5) = 6, or:

x^2 + 5x - 6 = 0, or

(x + 6)(x - 1) = 0, so that x = -6 and x = 1.  Both are valid answers, as the given expression is true if you substitute these x-values one at  a time