Solving an equation
Initial explanation
We want to find which value must have x, so this equation is true:
-4x - 3 = -11x + 16
In order to solve the equation for x, we want to "leave it alone" on one side of the equation.
In order to do that we just have to remember one simple rule:
Finding x
Step 1- taking all the terms with x to one side
We are going to take all the terms with x to the left side:
-4x - 3 = -11x + 16
↓ adding 11x both sides
11 x - 4x - 3 = 11x -11x + 16
↓ since 11x - 4x = 7x (left) and 11x - 11x = 0 (right)
7x - 3 = 0 + 16
7x - 3 = 16
Step 2- taking all the numbers to the other side
7x - 3 =16
↓ adding 3 both sides
7x - 3 + 3 = 16 + 3
↓ since -3 + 3 = 0 (left) and 16 + 3 = 19 (right)
7x + 0 = 19
7x = 19
Step 3- leaving x alone on the left side
7x = 19
↓ dividing 7 both sides
7x/7 = 19/7
↓ since 7x/7 = x (left) and 19/7 ≅ 2.7
x ≅ 2.7
Answer: x = 19/7 ≅ 2.7