# How do you solve -3/7m=3/9?

Mar 26, 2018

$m = - \frac{7}{9}$

#### Explanation:

$- \frac{3}{7} m = \frac{3}{9}$
$m = \frac{3}{9} \times - \frac{7}{3}$
$m = \frac{\cancel{3}}{9} \times - \frac{7}{\cancel{3}}$
$m = - \frac{7}{9}$

Mar 26, 2018

$m = - \frac{7}{9}$

#### Explanation:

To isolate $m$, you must get rid of its coefficient, $\frac{3}{7}$. To undo a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal. To keep the equation balanced, you must multiply BOTH sides by the reciprocal.
$\textcolor{p u r p \le}{\frac{7}{3}} \cdot - \frac{3}{7} m = \frac{3}{9} \cdot \textcolor{p u r p \le}{\frac{7}{3}}$

Cancel out the coefficient, but remember to leave the negative because it didn't get cancelled.
$\cancel{\textcolor{p u r p \le}{\frac{7}{3}}} \cdot - \cancel{\frac{3}{7}} m = \frac{3}{9} \cdot \textcolor{p u r p \le}{\frac{7}{3}}$
$- m = \frac{3}{9} \cdot \textcolor{p u r p \le}{\frac{7}{3}}$

Multiply out the right side.
$- m = \frac{21}{27}$

Multiply by $- 1$ on both sides to undo the negative and isolate $m$.
$\textcolor{red}{- 1} \cdot - m = \frac{21}{27} \cdot \textcolor{red}{- 1}$
$m = - \frac{21}{27}$

Simplify.
$m = - \frac{21}{27}$
$m = - \frac{7}{9}$