Identify the first step in solving in this equation for x: 7 (x - 8 ) = 49

The first step in solving the equation 7(x - 8) = 49 is to distribute the 7 across the parentheses.

Simple terms

The first step in solving the equation 7(x - 8) = 49 is to simplify the expression inside the parentheses by multiplying 7 with each term inside:

7 * x - 7 * 8 = 49.
Therefore, the first step is to simplify 7(x - 8) to 7x - 56.

Identify the second step in solving in this equation for y:

-3 ( y + 16 )= 21

The second step in solving the equation -3(y + 16) = 21 is to divide both sides of the equation by -3 in order to isolate y.

So, the equation becomes:
(y + 16) = 21/-3.

The second step is to simplify the right side of the equation by performing the division: (21 divided by -3 is -7).

So, the equation becomes:
(y + 16) = -7.