Question

Solve for n.
0.4 (5- 0.4n) = -3.2

Answer 1

0.4(5-0.4n)=-3.2

Divide by 0.4 both sides
5-0.4n = -3.2/0.4

Rearrange
-0.4n = -3.2/0.4 - 5

Simplify
{-3.2/0.4 = -32/4 [if you multiply and divide by 10] =-8}
-0.4n = -8-5 {8+5=13 and since both are negative don't forget the sign}
-0.4n=-13
n=13/0.4 {multiply and divide by 10}
n=130/4 {130/2 = 65, 65/2 = 32.5 So 130/4=32.5}
n=32.5

Answer 2

remember you can do anything to an equaiotn as long as you do it to both sides

also, negative/positive=negative so


0.4(5-0.4n)=-3.2
divide both sides by 0.4
5-0.4n=-8
subtract 5 from both sides
-0.4n=-13
divide both sides by -0.4
n=32.5