Simplifying 4.3 + -1.4(p + 7) = -9.7
Reorder the terms: 4.3 + -1.4(7 + p) = -9.7 4.3 + (7 * -1.4 + p * -1.4) = -9.7 4.3 + (-9.8 + -1.4p) = -9.7
Combine like terms: 4.3 + -9.8 = -5.5 -5.5 + -1.4p = -9.7 Solving -5.5 + -1.4p = -9.7
Solving for variable 'p'. Move all terms containing p to the left, all other terms to the right. Add '5.5' to each side of the equation. -5.5 + 5.5 + -1.4p = -9.7 + 5.5
Combine like terms: -5.5 + 5.5 = 0.0 0.0 + -1.4p = -9.7 + 5.5 -1.4p = -9.7 + 5.5
Combine like terms: -9.7 + 5.5 = -4.2 -1.4p = -4.2 Divide each side by '-1.4'. p = 3 Simplifying p = 3