Isolate the variable x: Isolate the variable x by multiplying both sides of the equation by the reciprocal of the coefficient of x.The reciprocal of 72 is 27. So, we multiply both sides of the equation by 27 to isolate x.(27)⋅(72)x=(27)⋅−14
Simplify both sides: Simplify both sides of the equation.On the left side, (27)×(72) simplifies to 1, leaving us with x.On the right side, (27)×−14 simplifies to −49.So, x=−49.
Check the solution: Check the solution by substituting the value of x back into the original equation.(72)(−49) should equal −14.(72)(−49)=7−98=−14, which is true.
More problems from Solve multi-step equations with fractional coefficients