# Math Help - Variable Equation help

1. ## Variable Equation help

Hello,
I am trying to solve for the following problem:

x / (8.8 + x) = .57

I have the solution for the problem (x=11.8), but I keep going over and over with this and can't figure out how to solve for the x. I think it's been way too long since I've taken an algebra class. If anyone could help provide a step by step solution that would be great - thank you so much!!!

2. Originally Posted by BeachChica
Hello,
I am trying to solve for the following problem:

x / (8.8 + x) = .57

I have the solution for the problem (x=11.8), but I keep going over and over with this and can't figure out how to solve for the x. I think it's been way too long since I've taken an algebra class. If anyone could help provide a step by step solution that would be great - thank you so much!!!
$
\frac{x}{\left (8.8 + x\right)} = .57
$

multiply both side by $\left (8.8 + x\right)$

$
x = .57(8.8 + x)
$

can you finish from here

3. Hi Big wave - thanks for your reply. Got to that point and ended up with:

x = 5.0160 + .57x

but I get stuck again on how to move that x so that both x's are on the same side.

Thank you again!

4. Subtract from both sides to get the x-containing terms together on the left-hand side. Then simplify and divide through to complete the solution.

5. ok next step is to get all terms with x on one side and combine

$
x - .57x = 5.0160
$

or

$.43x = 5.0160$

now divide both sides by .43

$x = 11.665116$

this may be due to rounding

6. okay sorry, I am really feeling dumb with this, but the step by step is helping!!!

Here's what I got:

x -.57x = 5.0160

So then do I divide both sides by the .57?

7. BigWave - thank you now I see what you did, so you bascially made the x equal to 1 to simplify?

8. Originally Posted by BeachChica
BigWave - thank you now I see what you did, so you bascially made the x equal to 1 to simplify?
No, he did not "make x equal to 1". What he did was recognize that x= 1 times x so that x- .57x= (1- .57)x= .43x.

9. Thank you, that's what I was thinking but didn't really come out that way in my message. Thanks to all for all of your help!!!!!