Convert all fractions to have the same denominator.
To convert, we must find the least common multiple of the two denominators of the fractions:
Multiples of 4: {4,8,12,16,20}
Multiples of 5: {5,10,15,20}
The least common multiple of 4 and 5 is 20.
Multiply the fractions by a number that will result in the denominator being 20:
[tex] \frac{3}{4} * \frac{5}{5} = \frac{15}{20}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{2}{5} * \frac{4}{4} = \frac{8}{20} [/tex]
The equation should now look like this:
[tex]\frac{15}{20} = w + \frac{8}{20}[/tex]
Subtract both sides by 8/20 to get w by itself:
[tex]\frac{15}{20} - \frac{8}{20} = \frac{7}{20} [/tex]
[tex]w = \frac{7}{20} [/tex]
The value of w is 7/20.