Question

Solve for x. −4.5 = 1.5 − x A) −6 B) −3 C) 3 D) 6

Answer 1

To solve for x, you need to isolate/get the variable "x" by itself in the equation:

-4.5 = 1.5 - x         Subtract 1.5 on both sides

-4.5 - 1.5 = 1.5 - 1.5 - x

-6 = -x     Divide -1 on both sides to get "x" by itself

$\frac{-6}{-1} =\frac{-x}{-1}$    [two negative signs cancel each other out and become positive]

6 = x         Your answer is D

You could have also done (without having to do division):

-4.5 = 1.5 - x       Add x on both sides to make x positive

-4.5 + x = 1.5 - x + x

-4.5 + x = 1.5    Add 4.5 on both sides

-4.5 + 4.5 + x = 1.5 + 4.5

x = 6