Math problem here: why cant you multipl a number by 1/3X?

Question

Three can be any number, but why wont it work, in general to multiply any number by th fraction (1/3X)?

Answer 1

Your question is unclear, but if you have "=" sign, you can multiply both side of equal sign by LCD, number.

Example

(1/3)x = 4

(3/1)(1/3)x = 4(3)

x = 12

However, if you have an expression, (1/3)x, you can not multiply by 3 to get ride of fraction.  You can multiply by 1, 3/3 because this does not change the expression

(3/3)(1/3)x = (3/9)x  this is reverse of reducing

I hope that was your question

Answer 2

You can.  Three can only be three.  If you mean X can be any number, then multiply any number by 1/3.  Example:

If X = 9 then

9 times (1 divided by 3) = 3

then multiply any other number by 3

OR

if X = 12 then

12 times (1 divided by 3) = 4

then multiply any other number by 4