Solve for x 1/x-1/3=-1/(3x)

Finding the LCD of a list of values is the same as finding the LCM of the denominators of those values.

Since ${\displaystyle x,3x,3}$ contain both numbers and variables, there are two steps to find the LCM. Find LCM for the numeric part ${\displaystyle 1,3,3}$ then find LCM for the variable part ${\displaystyle x^1,x^1}$.

The LCM is the smallest positive number that all of the numbers divide into evenly.

The number ${\displaystyle 1}$ is not a prime number because it only has one positive factor, which is itself.

Since ${\displaystyle 3}$ has no factors besides ${\displaystyle 1}$ and ${\displaystyle 3}$.

The LCM of ${\displaystyle 1,3,3}$ is the result of multiplying all prime factors the greatest number of times they occur in either number.

The factor for ${\displaystyle x^1}$ is ${\displaystyle x}$ itself.

The LCM of ${\displaystyle x^1,x^1}$ is the result of multiplying all prime factors the greatest number of times they occur in either term.

The LCM for ${\displaystyle x,3x,3}$ is the numeric part ${\displaystyle 3}$ multiplied by the variable part.

Multiply each term in ${\displaystyle \frac{1}{x}=-\frac{1}{3x}+\frac{1}{3}}$ by ${\displaystyle 3x}$.

Simplify the left side.

Simplify the right side.

Rewrite the equation as ${\displaystyle -1+x=3}$.

Move all terms not containing ${\displaystyle x}$ to the right side of the equation.