What is the solution to the equation 7/8 (x-1/2) = - 49/80

Step One

Multiply both sides by 80

7/8 (x - 1/2) * 80 = (-49/80) * 80

Step Two

7 (x - 1/2) * 10 = - 49 Divide both sides by 7

(x - 1/2) * 10 = - 49/7

(x - 1/2) * 10 = - 7 Remove the brackets on the left.

10x - (1/2) * 10 = - 7

10x - 5 = - 7 Add 5 to both sides.

10x = - 7 + 5

10x = - 2 Divide by 10

x = - 2/10

x = - 0.2

Step Three

Check

We better check this one.

7/8 * (-0.2 - 1/2)

7/8 * (-.2 - 0.5)

7/8 * (-0.7)

- 4.9/8 Now you can do one of two things. The easiest and simplest is to multiply top and bottom by 10

-4.9*10 / 8 * 10

-49 / 80 Which is the same as the right hand side.