Question

How do you solve `5- 7m = 12- 2m`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add `color(red)(7m)` and subtract `color(blue)(12)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `m` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-color(blue)(12) + 5 - 7m + color(red)(7m) = - color(blue)(12) + 12 - 2m + color(red)(7m)`

`-7 - 0 = 0 + (-2 + color(red)(7))m`

`-7 = 5m`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(5)` to solve for `m` while keeping the equation balanced:

`-7/color(red)(5) = (5m)/color(red)(5)`

`-7/5 = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(5)))m)/cancel(color(red)(5))`

`-7/5 m`

`m = -7/5`