document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=542330>Question 542330</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Good Evening:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The problem is a simple one, however my teacher is showing a method to clear out the decimals before solving.  The problem is:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(x-17.7)+19.6= 27.8\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "My teacher advised me to multiply both sides by 10. I am confused.  Could please help me solve this equation </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #354521 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=neatmath><B>neatmath(302)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-10.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=neatmath><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=neatmath><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=354521\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><font face=\"Tahoma\">Yes, multiplying both sides of the equation will make this MUCH easier to work with (in theory):<br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28x-17.7%29%2B19.6=27.8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28x-17.7%29%2B19.6=27.8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x-17.7%2B19.6=27.8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x-17.7%2B19.6=27.8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now multiply both sides of the equation by 10 (by multiplying EACH term by 10).<br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=10%2Ax-10%2A17.7%2B10%2A19.6=10%2A27.8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"10%2Ax-10%2A17.7%2B10%2A19.6=10%2A27.8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=10x-177%2B196=278 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"10x-177%2B196=278\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Looks a bit simpler to solve, doesn't it?<br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now solve the equation as normal:<br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=10x-177%2B196=278 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"10x-177%2B196=278\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=10x%2B19=278 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"10x%2B19=278\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=10x=259 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"10x=259\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=259%2F10 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=259%2F10\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=25.9 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=25.9\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "You would get the same answer if you DIDN'T clear out the decimals by multiplying both sides of the equation by 10.<br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "In some cases it can be really helpful, not really all that much in this case.<br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "You can also use a similar method to clear out fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation (each term) by the Least Common Denominator of the fractions.<br>\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I hope this helps!<br> </SPAN>\n" );
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