Solve for w . Simplify?

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4 Answers
Feb 18, 2018

The value of #w# is #-24#.

Explanation:

As long as you perform the same operations on both sides of the equation, you can do whatever you want. First, multiply both sides by #8#, then, divide both sides by #-5#.

#-5/8w=15#

#-5/8w*8=15*8#

#-5/color(red)cancel(color(black)8)w*color(red)cancel(color(black)8)=15*8#

#-5w=15*8#

#-5w=120#

#w=120/(-5)#

#w=-24#

Feb 18, 2018

#w=-24#

Explanation:

Step 1
The first priority is to isolate the variable #w#. To do this, we must divide both sides by #-5/8#.
#(-5/8w)/(-5/8)=15/(-5/8)#

Step 2
In order to simplify the left side of the equation, we can simply cancel the #-5/8#.
#w=15/(-5/8)#

Step 3
Now, we must simplify the right side of the equation. When dividing by a fraction, we can simply multiply by the fraction's reciprocal.
#w=15*(-8/5)#

Step 4
We simplify.
#w=-24#

Feb 18, 2018

#w = - 24#

Explanation:

# - (5)/(8)w = 15#    Solve for #w#

1) Clear the fraction by multiplying both sides by #8# and letting the denominator cancel
#- 5w = 120#

2) Divide both sides by #-5# to isolate #w#
#w = - 24#

Answer:
#w = - 24#

Feb 18, 2018

#w=-24#

Explanation:

We have:
#-5/8*w=15#

Using the fact that #a/b*c=(ac)/b#, we can say that:

#-5/8*w/1=15/1#

=>#-(5w)/8=15/1#

Now, remember that:

If #a/b=c/d#, then:

#ad=cb# where #b!=0# and #d!=0#

=>#-(5w)/8=15/1#

=>#(-5w)/8=15/1#

=>#-5w=120# Divide both sides by -5.

=>#w=-24#