18-7x= -20.5 what is the value of x

Question

i take online summer school and im really stuck please help

Answer 1

This is a basic "linear" equation with one variable (x).  Solving these is generally a process of doing some set of operations, to both sides at the same time, until you have x by itself.  Like this...

 

18 - 7x = -20.5

 

Subtract 18 from both sides, so that the x term is by itself on the left:

 

18 - 7x -18 = -20.5 - 18

-7x = -38.5

 

Divide both sides by -7, so that the x term has no coefficient:

 

-7x / (-7) = -38.5 / (-7)

x = 5.5

 

Once you have an equation the just says x = something, then the "something" is your answer.