i have the following equation where i have to find the value of x, and h & c are the same value hx - 4 = cx/3 so far i did: multiplied the whole equation by 3 3(hx - 4) = cx 3hx - 12 = cx 3hx = cx + 12 You are correct to here. But you are not ready to divide yet! You must first get all terms that contain x on the left side of the equation and all other terms on the right. So subtract cx from both sides: 3hx - cx = 12 Factor out x: x(3h - c) = 12 Now you are ready to divide both sides by (3h - c) x = 12/(3h - c) Edwin