7x means 7 times a “mystery number” = 21
We can ask, “7 times what equals 21?”
The math family of equations here is
3 x 7 = 21
7 x 3 = 21
21 / 7 = 3
21 / 3 = 7
So to solve for x, or find out mystery number, we have 7x = 21
Whatever we do to one side of the equation, we have to do to the other side to keep it equal. Here, we’ll divide both sides by 7, so that on the left side, x is by itself.
Then we have x = 21/7 which is x = 3
Please ask any questions in the comments