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

Answer 1

The first step in solving the equation \( 7(x - 8) = 49 \) is to divide both sides of the equation by 7 to isolate the expression containing \( x \).

So the step is:

\[ x - 8 = \frac{49}{7} \]

Calculating the right side gives:

\[ x - 8 = 7 \]

Now you can proceed to solve for \( x \).