Hi Nick. Do you know how to reduce fractions?
12/2 reduces to 6/1
The fraction 12/2 appears in your first equation, so it can be reduced to simplify the equation.
12m/2 = 2
6m = 2
To solve this last equation for m, we want to get rid of the 6; so, divide both sides by 6.
6m/6 = 2/6
Do you see how the 6s cancel, on the left-hand side above, leaving m by itself? To finish, reduce the fraction on the right-hand side.
If you have forgotten how to reduce fractions, now is the time to review because that skill is important for learning algebra.
Google keywords 'simplifying fractions', and look at sites until you find one that makes sense for you.
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As others have shown, you can also begin a different way.
12m/2 = 2
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 2 is another way to get rid of the denominator. You got the following.
12m = 4
You wondered whether m=3. It's not because 12 times 3 is not 4.
In other words, the expression 12m means the number 12 times the number m; if m were to be 3, then the expression12m would represent 12 times 3, and that equals 36, not 4.
This sort of thinking is what we need to do, when wondering about our answers in algebra. We need to check results to see whether they make sense.
Cheers
PS: If you have forgotten your multiplication table, now is the time to review. It's difficult to simplify algebraic expressions, without knowing products/factors of smaller Whole numbers.