Dear Colleagues,
I have the following equation: 3 - 7x = 5
Normally in order to isolate x, I would start by adding 3 to both sides and then dividing both sides by 7.
When I looked at the solution, it states that because the coefficient of x is negative, you need to multiply both sides of the equation by -1, this would make the -7 positive and positive 3, negative 3 and negative 5.
Therefore the equation becomes 7x - 3 = -5.
What I don't understand is why we need to multiply both sides of the equation by a negative number ? - what is the purpose of it?.
Thank you.
I have the following equation: 3 - 7x = 5
Normally in order to isolate x, I would start by adding 3 to both sides and then dividing both sides by 7.
When I looked at the solution, it states that because the coefficient of x is negative, you need to multiply both sides of the equation by -1, this would make the -7 positive and positive 3, negative 3 and negative 5.
Therefore the equation becomes 7x - 3 = -5.
What I don't understand is why we need to multiply both sides of the equation by a negative number ? - what is the purpose of it?.
Thank you.