Question 118618
cannot figure out how to do this with negatives...
{{{-4x/3}}} = {{{18/5}}}
the negative is in front of both numbers in the first fraction.
must solve equation and also show checks
<pre><font size = 5 face = "book antiqua" color = "indigo"><b>
{{{-4x/3}}} = {{{18/5}}}

Get rid of that negative sign on the left by using this rule:

<i>You can change the sign of EVERY TERM on both sides of an
equation and the resulting equation will be equivalent</i>:

So we change the sign on the left to positive and we
change the sign on the right side to negative.

{{{4x/3}}} = {{{-18/5}}}

So multiply both sides by {{{3/4}}}

{{{3/4}}}{{{4x/3}}} = {{{-18/5}}}{{{3/4}}}

Cancel the 3's and 4's on the left.
Multiply numerators and denominators on the right:

{{{(cross(3))/(cross(4))}}}{{{(cross(4)x)/(cross(3))}}} = {{{-54/20}}}

Reduce the fraction on the right:

{{{x}}} = {{{-27/10}}}

To check, it is easier to write {{{-27/10}}} as a decimal {{{-2.7}}}

{{{-4x/3}}} = {{{18/5}}}

{{{-(4(-2.7))/3}}} = {{{18/5}}}

{{{-(-10.8)/3}}} = {{{18/5}}}

The negatives cancel on the left.
Change {{{18/5}}} on the right to decimal {{{3.6}}}


{{{10.8/3}}} = {{{3.6}}}

Divide the left side:

{{{3.6}}} = {{{3.6}}}

Edwin</pre>