Question

What is the value of x in this proportion?

2/7=−5/x+3


x=−20 1/2

x=−19

x=−16

x=−14 1/2

Answer 1

(a) x=−20 1/2

Explanation:

Multiply by the product of the denominators and solve the resulting linear equation in the usual way.

`(2)/(7)=(-5)/(x+3)\\\\2(x+3)=-5(7)\qquad\text{multiply by $7(x+3)$}\\\\2x+6=-35\qquad\text{simplify}\\\\2x=-41\qquad\text{subtract 6}\\\\\boxed{x=-20(1)/(2)}\qquad\text{divide by 2}`