Question

-1/4x = 7
what would I do to get the answer? Can you walk me through the steps?

Answer 1

To get the answer, you have to isolate the variable as the first step, so divide both sides by -1/4

Answer 2

then you'll actually already have your answer, x = what 7 divided by -1/4 equals >.<

Answer 3

@Jadeishere
I'm pretty sure you multiply both sides by -4/1, lol. Your dealing with fractions. Reciprocal=1

Answer 4

Oh yeah /).< Oops

Answer 5

Ok. I probably seem really dumb to you..... Lol

Answer 6

Just remember that if it's a decimal

Let's say 0.93x=10

Then yeah, you divide by 0.93 on both sides

Fractions=reciprocals

Answer 7

Wait, no it is divided

Answer 8

would the reciprocal be positive?

Answer 9

It's "dividing" but it turns out to be multiplication every time.

1/4 divided by 1/4= 1/4 times 4/1

Answer 10

Let's just transform -1/4 into a decimal persay, and then multiply it by 7, it comes out with the wrong answer. So if you divide 7 by -0.25 it's actually going to be -28, and that's the answer...

Answer 11

Oh, I see what you're saying. Sorry I was super confused with what you meant a first!!

Answer 12

We are both correct, technically. You DO divide, but dividing fractions leads to multiplication of the reciprocal.

Answer 13

So my explanation is basically just a short cut

Answer 14

Okay..

Answer 15

I really appreciate your guys' help. :)

Answer 16

When you have a negative fraction, would the reciprocal be positive?

Answer 17

Nope

Answer 18

No, that would be an opposite reciprocal

Answer 19

Oh. Okay. Thank you. ~~ again.