How do you solve #\frac { - 4} { p - 1} = \frac { - 1} { p - 7}#?

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Answer 1 · 2018-03-31T20:16:04

#p=9#

#(-4)/(p-1) = (-1)/(p-7)#

Cross multiply

#(-4)(p-7)=(-1)(p-1)#

Then use the distributive property

#(-4)(p) + (-4)(-7) = (-1)(p)+(-1)(-1)#

#-4p + 28 = -p + 1#

Add #p# on both sides

#-4p + 28 + p = -p + 1 + p#

#-3p + 28 = 1#

Then add #28# on both sides

#-3p + 28 - 28 = 1 - 28#

#-3p= -27#

Divide both sides by #-3#

#(cancel(-3)p)/cancel(-3)= (-27)/(-3)#

#p=9#