What is -2 over 7w equals 8?

Answer 1

Let's start with making the variables coefficient a positive number. This obtained by simply multiply the negative fraction by -1/1, which results in the same fraction just positive. However, what you do to one side you must always do to the other.

-2/7w = 8

-1/1 x -2/7w = 8 x -1/1 = 2/7w = -8

Now we see that our variable is still attached to the coefficient by means of multiplication. We must perform the inverse operation to detach the variable. In our case, division will suffice.

2/7w ÷ 2/7 = -8 ÷ 2/7

1/w = -8 ÷ 2/7

1/w = -28

w = -1/28.

Is it (-2 over 7)w or -2 over (7w)?