Help!
These are fractions, so bear with me:
-5/8 x= -9/10
Solve with the multiplicaation principle. How do I do this? The fractions throw me off every time!!!
I interpret "multiplicaation principle" to mean multiply both sides by the same multiplier,
I will choose -8/5 (do you see why?)
(-8/5)(-5/8)x = (-8/5)(-9/10)
x = 72/50
I just cross-multiply to get
-50x = -72
x = 72/50
No problem! I'll explain the steps to solve this equation using the multiplication principle, specifically for fractions. Here's the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Start with the equation -5/8x = -9/10.
Step 2: To eliminate the fraction, we need to multiply both sides of the equation by the reciprocal of the fraction on the left side. The reciprocal of -5/8 is -8/5. So we have:
(-5/8x) * (-8/5) = (-9/10) * (-8/5).
Step 3: Simplify the equation. On the left side, the -5/8 and -8/5 cancel out, leaving us with just 'x'. On the right side, multiply the numerators and multiply the denominators:
x = (9 * 8) / (10 * 5).
Step 4: Multiply and simplify further, if possible:
x = 72 / 50.
Step 5: Reduce the fraction to its simplest form:
x = 36 / 25.
So, the solution to the equation -5/8x = -9/10 using the multiplication principle is x = 36/25.