How do you solve #\frac { 2- 5x } { 4} = 3#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-08-13T14:06:05

See a solution process below:

Step 1) Multiply each side of the equation by #color(red)(4)# to eliminate the fraction while keeping the equation balanced:

#color(red)(4) xx (2 - 5x)/4 = color(red)(4) xx 3#

#cancel(color(red)(4)) xx (2 - 5x)/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4))) = 12#

#2 - 5x = 12#

Step 2) Subtract #color(red)(2)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-color(red)(2) + 2 - 5x = -color(red)(2) + 12#

#0 - 5x = 10#

#-5x = 10#

Step 3) Divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(-5)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(-5x)/color(red)(-5) = 10/color(red)(-5)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-5)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-5)) = -2#

#x = -2#