College

(a) What operation on both sides of the equation [tex]6x = 42[/tex] isolates the variable on one side? There may be more than one correct answer.

A. Multiplying by 6
B. Multiplying by [tex]\frac{1}{6}[/tex]
C. Dividing by 42
D. Dividing by [tex]6x[/tex]
E. Dividing by 6
F. Subtracting [tex]6x[/tex]
G. Adding 6

(b) Give the solution of the equation [tex]6x = 42[/tex].

[tex]x = \square[/tex]

Answer :

Certainly! Let's tackle the problem step-by-step.

### Part (a): Isolating the Variable

To solve the equation [tex]\(6x = 42\)[/tex] for [tex]\(x\)[/tex], we need to isolate [tex]\(x\)[/tex]. This can be done by performing operations that "cancel out" the number attached to [tex]\(x\)[/tex], which in this case is 6.

- Multiplying by [tex]\(1/6\)[/tex]:
- If you multiply both sides of the equation [tex]\(6x = 42\)[/tex] by [tex]\(1/6\)[/tex], it helps isolate [tex]\(x\)[/tex].
- Calculation: [tex]\( (1/6) \times 6x = (1/6) \times 42 \)[/tex].
- This simplifies to [tex]\(x = 42/6\)[/tex].

- Dividing by 6:
- If you divide both sides of the equation by 6, it also isolates [tex]\(x\)[/tex].
- Calculation: [tex]\(6x/6 = 42/6\)[/tex].
- This simplifies directly to [tex]\(x = 42/6\)[/tex].

Therefore, the operations that can isolate [tex]\(x\)[/tex] are:
- B. Multiplying by [tex]\(1/6\)[/tex]
- E. Dividing by 6

### Part (b): Solving the Equation

Now that we've decided on the operations to isolate [tex]\(x\)[/tex], let's find the solution.

Given [tex]\(6x = 42\)[/tex], dividing both sides by 6 (or multiplying by [tex]\(1/6\)[/tex]) gives us:

[tex]\[ x = \frac{42}{6} \][/tex]

By performing this division:

[tex]\[ x = 7 \][/tex]

Thus, the solution to the equation [tex]\(6x = 42\)[/tex] is:

[tex]\[ x = 7 \][/tex]

I hope this explanation clarifies the solution steps for you! Feel free to ask if you have any more questions.