How do you solve and check your solutions to 14.4m-5.1=2.1?

Sep 3, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

This is a standard 2-Step equation.

Step 1 - Isolate the Variable: Add $\textcolor{red}{5.1}$ to each side of the equation to isolate the $m$ term while keeping the equation balanced:

$14.4 m - 5.1 + \textcolor{red}{5.1} = 2.1 + \textcolor{red}{5.1}$

$14.4 m - 0 = 7.2$

$14.4 m = 7.2$

Step 2 - Solve for the Variable by Multiplying or Dividing by the Appropriate Value: Divid each side of the equation by $\textcolor{red}{14.4}$ to solve for $m$ while keeping the equation balanced:

$\frac{14.4 m}{\textcolor{red}{14.4}} = \frac{7.2}{\textcolor{red}{14.4}}$

$\frac{\textcolor{red}{\cancel{\textcolor{b l a c k}{14.4}}} m}{\cancel{\textcolor{red}{14.4}}} = \frac{7.2}{\textcolor{red}{7.2 \times 2}}$

$m = \frac{\textcolor{red}{\cancel{\textcolor{b l a c k}{7.2}}}}{\textcolor{red}{\textcolor{b l a c k}{\cancel{\textcolor{red}{7.2}}}} \times 2}$

$m = \frac{1}{2}$

Check the Solution: To check the solution substitute $\frac{1}{2}$ for $m$ and ensure the left side evaluates to the $2.1$

$14.4 m - 5.1 = 2.1$ becomes:

$\left(14.4 \times \frac{1}{2}\right) - 5.1 = 2.1$

$7.2 - 5.1 = 2.1$

$2.1 = 2.1$