SOLUTION: Solve for x. 3.2x + 21.3/65.871 = 19.23 What is the best way to solve equations with decimals?

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: Solve for x. 3.2x + 21.3/65.871 = 19.23 What is the best way to solve equations with decimals?       Log On


   

Question 1208695: Solve for x.
3.2x + 21.3/65.871 = 19.23
What is the best way to solve equations with decimals?
Found 2 solutions by timofer, greenestamps:
Answer by timofer(104) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
3.2=19.23-21.3%2F65.871
3.2x=18.9066407068
x=5.90832522088


I resorted to an online calculator instead of doing all the computations manually.

Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


3.2x+%2B+21.3%2F65.871+=+19.23

Isolate the term with the variable, as you would if the numbers involved were whole numbers.

3.2x=19.23-21.3%2F65.871
x=%2819.23-21.3%2F65.871%29%2F3.2

Evaluating that expression involves dividing decimals by decimals, which will produce "nice" results only in very rare cases; and performing the division by hand is a very tedious process which teaches no useful skills.

So do the standard algebraic steps to start with, and then, as the other tutor says, solve the problem using some kind of calculator.