How do you simplify a fraction in math?

What is the value of 1/3x + 7x when x = 5

Imagine a new pasture with grass growing on it. every day after the seeds have germinated, the number of blades of grass in the pasture triples. after 18 days, the entire pasture is completely covered in grass. how many days did it take for the pasture to be one-third covered in grass?

Jack has a piece of red ribbon that is two times as long as his piece of blue ribbon. he says that he can use two different equation to find out how long his piece of red ribbon is compared to his piece of blue ribbon is. is he correct? explain his reasoning