Question

How do you solve `1/8x= -3`?

Answer 1

See the explanation below.

Explanation:

Solve `1/8x=-3` .

Simplify `1/8x` to `x/8` .

`x/8=-3`

Multiply both sides times `8`.

`(x(8))/8=-3(8)`

Cancel the `8`.

`(xcancel(8))/cancel8=-3(8)` =

`x=-24`

Answer 2

Multiply both sides of the equation by `8` to find: `x = -24`

Explanation:

Multiply both sides of the equation by `8`.

The left hand side becomes:

`8 * 1/8x = (8*1/8)*x = 1*x = x`

The right hand side becomes:

`8 * -3 = -24`

So `x = -24`

In general you can do any of the following to an equation and preserve its truth:

(1) Add or subtract the same value on both sides.
(2) Multiply or divide by the same non-zero value on both sides.