What number should be added to both sides of the equation x − 7/8 = −5

Question

to find the value of x
?

Answer 1

To solve the equation \( x - \frac{7}{8} = -5 \) for \( x \), we can add \( \frac{7}{8} \) to both sides of the equation.

Here’s how it looks:

\[ x - \frac{7}{8} + \frac{7}{8} = -5 + \frac{7}{8} \]

This simplifies to:

\[ x = -5 + \frac{7}{8} \]

Now, to combine \(-5\) and \(\frac{7}{8}\), we can convert \(-5\) to a fraction with a denominator of 8.

\(-5\) can be rewritten as \(-\frac{40}{8}\):

\[ x = -\frac{40}{8} + \frac{7}{8} \]

Now, combine the fractions:

\[ x = \frac{-40 + 7}{8} = \frac{-33}{8} \]

So, the value of \( x \) is \( -\frac{33}{8} \).

To summarize, you should add \( \frac{7}{8} \) to both sides of the equation to find the value of \( x \).