To find the answer follow these steps: 1: Add x to -2x (to isolate the variable, x), this will get you -x=143 2: Now to get x positive simply switch the negative from the x (left) to 143 (right). You will get x= -143.
So the board is divided into 5 pieces, and 2/5 of the board is left. The leftovers equal 4 originals. This is equal to 4 times 5. equation: 2/5(5x)=20 2x=20 x=10 He started with 10 boards. Hope this helps!
