Solve the equation 18.2 + 1.5x = 37.7

Question

I have no idea how to help my daughter. Please help. Explain how to do this for me

Answer 1

18.2 + 1.5X = 37.7 is a linear equation, which means the X has no powers and is not in any denominators. That makes it very simple, because the method never really changes. All you must do is isolate the X, and always start with the numbers that are with it but furthest from it. In this case, that's the 18.2. It was adding so, to isolate, always do the opposite, which means subtracting. It looks like this:

 

 18.2 + 1.5X = 37.7

-18.2              -18.2     and always remember to do whatever you do to BOTH sides!

            1.5X = 19.5     Now, you need to remove the 1.5 . It is multiplying, and we once again do the opposite, which

            1.5        1.5      means dividing both sides by 1.5 . That gets us the final answer:

                 X = 13