How do you solve # -21w + 5 = 3w - 1#?

2 Answers
Apr 15, 2018

#w=1/4#

Explanation:

#-21w+5=3w-1#
#-21wcolor(red)(+21w)+5=3w-1color(red)(+21w) #
#+5color(red)(+1)=24w-1color(red)(+1) #
#6=24w#
#6/24=w#
#(1*cancel(6))/(4*cancel(6))=w#
#w=1/4#
\0/ here's our answer!

#w=1/4# or #w=0.25#

Explanation:

#-21w+5=3w-1#

Step 1: subtract #5# from both sides

#-21w+5-5=3w-1-5#

Step 2: combine like terms and simplify

#-21w=3w-6#

Step 3: Subtract #3w# from both sides to isolate the variable

#-21w-3w=-6#

#-24w=-6#

Step 4: Divide by #-24# on each side

#w= (-6)/-24#

Dividing by two negatives gives you a positive number so when simplifying, the negatives cancel out and you are able to divide each side by #6#, thus giving you an answer of

#w=1/4# or #w=0.25#.