document.write( "Question 531987: How do you solve for X? example: 17x – 42 = -39 \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #350757 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
we want to isolate x on one side by performing simple operations to both sides
\n" ); document.write( "17x - 42 = -39
\n" ); document.write( "add 42 to both sides
\n" ); document.write( "17x - 42 + 42 = -39 + 42
\n" ); document.write( "17x = +3
\n" ); document.write( "divide both sides by 17
\n" ); document.write( "\"17%2F17\"x = \"3%2F17\"
\n" ); document.write( "x = \"3%2F17\"
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "To check this in the original equation
\n" ); document.write( "17x - 42 = -39
\n" ); document.write( "replace x with 3/17
\n" ); document.write( "17\"3%2F17\" - 42 = -39
\n" ); document.write( "17's cancel, leaving
\n" ); document.write( "3 - 42 = -39
\n" ); document.write( "-39 = -39; equality, confirm our solution of x = 3/17 \n" ); document.write( "
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