
Victoria V. answered 12/15/18
20+ years teaching Algebra 2 subjects & beyond.
The Equation -7(x-4) = 49
-7x + 28 = 49 (DISTRIBUTIVE property - distributed the (-7) into the (x-4))
-7x + 28-28 = 49 - 28 (SUBTRACTION property - subtracted 28 from both sides))
-7x = 21 (simplified each side 28 - 28 = 0, and -7x + 0 = -7x; 49 - 28 = 21) -
in geometry we call this the SUBSTITUTION property, because you are substituting (-7x) for the (-7x+28-28) above; and substituting 21 in place of (49-28) form the line above))
-7x/-7 = 21/-7 (DIVISION property - divided both sides by (-7))
x= -3 (simplified each side,
in geometry we call this the SUBSTITUTION property because you are substituting "x" for (-7x/-7); and substituting -3 in place of 21/(-7))