to solve the equation 5/8 (x - 1/2) = 10, the first step is to reverse the multiplication. what number should both sides be divided by

1 answer

To solve the equation 5/8 (x - 1/2) = 10, the first step is to reverse the multiplication by dividing both sides by the coefficient of x, which is 5/8.

So, to find the number both sides should be divided by, we need to divide both sides of the equation by 5/8.

Dividing both sides by 5/8 can be done by multiplying both sides by the reciprocal of 5/8, which is 8/5.

By doing this, we get:

(5/8)(x - 1/2) × (8/5) = 10 × (8/5).

Simplifying both sides gives:

(x - 1/2) = 16/5.

Therefore, the number both sides of the equation should be divided by is 5/8, and by dividing both sides by it, we will solve the equation.