1981 AHSME Problems/Problem 3

Problem

For $x\neq0$, $\dfrac{1}{x}+\dfrac{1}{2x}+\dfrac{1}{3x}$ equals

$\textbf{(A)}\ \dfrac{1}{2x}\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \dfrac{1}{6x}\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \dfrac{5}{6x}\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ \dfrac{11}{6x}\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ \dfrac{1}{6x^3}$

Solution

The least common multiple of ${\frac{1}{x}}$, $\frac{1}{2x}$, and $\frac{1}{3x}$ is $\frac{1}{6x}$.

$\frac{1}{x}$ = $\frac{6}{6x}$, $\frac{1}{2x}$ = $\frac{3}{6x}$, $\frac{1}{3x}$ = $\frac{2}{6x}$.

$\frac{6}{6x}$ + $\frac{3}{6x}$ + $\frac{2}{6x}$ = $\frac{11}{6x}$

The answer is $\boxed{\left(D\right) \frac{11}{6x}}$.

See Also

1981 AHSME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 2
Followed by
Problem 4
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