Final answer:
To solve the equation 5.4p + 13.1 = -2.6p + 3.5, one must combine like terms and isolate the variable p. After simplifying, the solution is p = -1.2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the equation 5.4p + 13.1 = -2.6p + 3.5, you must collect the variables on one side and the constants on the other. Start by adding 2.6p to both sides of the equation, which gets rid of the p term on the right side, and then subtract 13.1 from both sides to get rid of the constant term on the left side:
5.4p + 2.6p = 3.5 - 13.1
Combine like terms:
8p = -9.6
Then divide both sides by 8 to solve for p:
p = -9.6 ÷ 8
p = -1.2
Therefore, the solution to the equation is p = -1.2.