How do you solve #43x-43=-42x-42#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-07-02T14:30:12

See a solution process below:

First, add #color(red)(43)# and #color(blue)(42x)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#color(blue)(42x) + 43x - 43 + color(red)(43) = color(blue)(42x) - 42x - 42 + color(red)(43)#

#(color(blue)(42) + 43)x - 0 = 0 + 1#

#85x = 1#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(85)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(85x)/color(red)(85) = 1/color(red)(85)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(85)))x)/cancel(color(red)(85)) = 1/85#

#x = 1/85#