# How do you solve 8.7=3.5m-2.5(5.4-6m)?

Feb 25, 2017

See the entire solution process below:

#### Explanation:

Step 1) Expand the terms in parenthesis on the right side of the equation by multiplying each term within the equation by the term outside the equation:

$8.7 = 3.5 m - \left(2.5 \times 5.4\right) + \left(2.5 \times 6 m\right)$

$8.7 = 3.5 m - 13.5 + 15 m$

Step 2) Group and combine like terms on the right side of the equation:

$8.7 = 3.5 m + 15 m - 13.5$

$8.7 = \left(3.5 + 15\right) m - 13.5$

$8.7 = 18.5 m - 13.5$

Step 3) Add $\textcolor{red}{13.5}$ to each side of the equation to isolate the $m$ term while keeping the equation balanced:

$8.7 + \textcolor{red}{13.5} = 18.5 m - 13.5 + \textcolor{red}{13.5}$

$22.2 = 18.5 m - 0$

$22.2 = 18.5 m$

Step 4) Divide each side of the equation by $\textcolor{red}{18.5}$ to solve for $m$ while keeping the equation balanced:

$\frac{22.2}{\textcolor{red}{18.5}} = \frac{18.5 m}{\textcolor{red}{18.5}}$

$1.2 = \frac{\textcolor{red}{\cancel{\textcolor{b l a c k}{18.5}}} m}{\cancel{\textcolor{red}{18.5}}}$

$1.2 = m$

$m = 1.2$