Question

How do you solve and check your solutions to `14.4m-5.1=2.1`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

This is a standard 2-Step equation.

Step 1 - Isolate the Variable: Add `color(red)(5.1)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `m` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`14.4m - 5.1 + color(red)(5.1) = 2.1 + color(red)(5.1)`

`14.4m - 0 = 7.2`

`14.4m = 7.2`

Step 2 - Solve for the Variable by Multiplying or Dividing by the Appropriate Value: Divid each side of the equation by `color(red)(14.4)` to solve for `m` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(14.4m)/color(red)(14.4) = 7.2/color(red)(14.4)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(14.4)))m)/cancel(color(red)(14.4)) = 7.2/color(red)(7.2 xx 2)`

`m = color(red)(cancel(color(black)(7.2)))/(color(red)(color(black)cancel(color(red)(7.2))) xx 2)`

`m = 1/2`

Check the Solution: To check the solution substitute `1/2` for `m` and ensure the left side evaluates to the `2.1`

`14.4m - 5.1 = 2.1` becomes:

`(14.4 xx 1/2) - 5.1 = 2.1`

`7.2 - 5.1 = 2.1`

`2.1 = 2.1`