What is the solution of the equation 5/2 x = −1/8

?(1 point)
Responses

−1/20
negative Start Fraction 1 over 20 End Fraction

1/20
Start Fraction 1 over 20 End Fraction

−5/16
negative Start Fraction 5 over 16 End Fraction

−20

1 answer

To solve the equation \( \frac{5}{2} x = -\frac{1}{8} \), we can isolate \( x \) by multiplying both sides of the equation by the reciprocal of \( \frac{5}{2} \), which is \( \frac{2}{5} \).

Here's how to solve it step by step:

  1. Start with the equation: \[ \frac{5}{2} x = -\frac{1}{8} \]

  2. Multiply both sides by \( \frac{2}{5} \): \[ x = -\frac{1}{8} \cdot \frac{2}{5} \]

  3. Perform the multiplication on the right side: \[ x = -\frac{1 \cdot 2}{8 \cdot 5} = -\frac{2}{40} = -\frac{1}{20} \]

Thus, the solution to the equation is: \[ \boxed{-\frac{1}{20}} \]

So the answer is \( -\frac{1}{20} \).