Question

What is the value of x if -x/5 = -2

Answer 1

$- \frac{x}{5} = - 2$

$- x = - 10$

$x = 10$

Answer 2

$\dfrac{-\text{x}}{5} = -2$

We need to isolate our variable. In this case, our variable is "x".

We want to isolate "x", but to do so, we must get rid of our fractions.

We can do this by multiplying both sides by 5. This rids our denominators.

$\dfrac{-\text{x}}{\cancel{5}}\times\cancel{5} = -2\times5$

Simplify.

-x = -10

Divide both sides by -1.

$\dfrac{-x}{-1} = \dfrac{-10}{-1}$

Simplify.

x = 10