Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Basic Math Placement Practice Test

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Get ready for the ALEKS Basic Math Placement Test. Study with interactive quizzes and detailed explanations. Prepare to excel!

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In the expression (-1/3) - (1/2)v = (3/7), what is the first step to solve for v?

Multiply by 42
Find the least common denominator (LCD)
Combine like terms
Isolate v

The correct answer is: Find the least common denominator (LCD)

To solve the equation $(-1/3) - (1/2)v = (3/7)$, the first logical step is to eliminate the fractions in the equation for easier manipulation. The most effective way to do this is to find the least common denominator (LCD) of the fractions involved. In this case, the denominators present are 3, 2, and 7. The least common denominator for these numbers is 42. By multiplying every term in the equation by 42, you eliminate the fractions, which simplifies the equation significantly. This approach makes it easier to isolate the variable $v$ in subsequent steps. Once the fractions are eliminated by this multiplication, you can work on isolating $v$ without the fractions complicating the calculations. Thus, finding the least common denominator is indeed the correct first step to take in this process.