How do you solve #-4+ \frac { x } { 3} = - 6#?

1 Answer
Aug 31, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

This is a standard 2-Step problem:

Step 1) Isolate the variable: Add #color(red)(4)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#color(red)(4) - 4 + x/3 = color(red)(4) - 6#

#0 + x/3 = -2#

#x/3 = -2#

Step 2) Eliminate the coefficient of the variable: Multiply each side of the equation by #color(red)(3)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#color(red)(3) xx x/3 = color(red)(3) xx -2#

#cancel(color(red)(3)) xx x/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3))) = -6#

#x = -6#