Linear Equation: Solve for p. - m=p-241/p

[Ghmuji]

Equation: Solve for p. - m=p-241/p. X both sides by p to get: mp= p-241. How do I take care of the other p?

 

[ksdhart2]

The first thing I'd note is that, based on your description, you've made a typo in the problem. What you wrote evaluates out to:

\(\displaystyle m=p-\dfrac{241}{p}\)

Which I'm guessing is not what you meant. For it to be what you intended it to be, you need grouping symbols, like so: m = (p-241)/p. Be sure you understand why that is.

With that out of the way, we can begin solving the problem. What you've done so far is a valid step, so let's try continuing from there. What if you subtracted p from both sides, leaving: mp - p = -241? Then you can factor out a common term on the left-hand sidehttp://www.purplemath.com/modules/simpfact.htm. After that, the final step to get to the solution should be obvious.

 

[Ghmuji]

Thanks

Oh yes, of course. mp-p=-241 factor out the common term to get p (m-1)=-241. Then divide by m-1. Thus p=-241/m-1