First, the dot stands for the "product". You have to multiply.
5/8* 2/7
= [5/ (2*4)]* (2/7)
= 5/4* 1/7 (because 2 and 2 cancel out)
= (5*1)/ (4*7)
= 5/28
The final answer is 5/28~
X + 1 = 3
x + 1 - 1 = 3 - 1
x = 2
x + 1 = -3
x + 1 - 1 = -3 -1
x = -4
Answer: x = 2 or x = -4