| 5 | ÷ | x | + | 1 | − | 1 | ÷ | 4 | = | 3 | ÷ | x |
| Multiply both sides of the equation by: | x |
| 5 | + | 1 | x | − | 1 | ÷ | 4 | × | x | = | 3 | ÷ | 1 | × | 1 |
| 1 | x | − | 1 | ÷ | 4 | × | x | = | 3 | ÷ | 1 | × | 1 | − | 5 |
| 1 | x | − | 1 4 | x | = | 3 | ÷ | 1 | × | 1 | − | 5 |
| 1 | x | − | 1 4 | x | = | 3 | − | 5 |
3 4 | x | = | 3 | − | 5 |
3 4 | x | = | - | 2 |
| x | = | - | 2 | ÷ | 3 4 |
| = | - | 2 | × | 4 3 |
| x | = | - | 8 3 |
| x | = | - 2.666667 |