Exercise 3 Page 148

To solve an equation, we should first gather all of the variable terms on one side and all of the constant terms on the other side using the Properties of Equality. In this case, the variable terms are already on the left-hand side of the equation, so we will start by combining like terms.

- 2.3x-4.2x=- 66.3

SubFrac

Subtract fractions

- 6.5x=- 66.3

DivEqn

.LHS /(- 6.5).=.RHS /(- 6.5).

- 6.5x/- 6.5=- 66.3/- 6.5

DivNegNeg

- a/- b=a/b

6.5x/6.5=66.3/6.5

CancelCommonFac

Cancel out common factors

6.5x/6.5=66.3/6.5

SimpQuot

Simplify quotient

x=66.3/6.5

CalcQuot

Calculate quotient

x = 10.2

The solution to the equation is x=10.2.