Decimal Coefficients
Part of the Fundamentals section of Coddy's Math journey. Lesson 41 of 64.
A decimal coefficient is a fraction in different clothes: 0.5x = 3 says half of a number is 3. Divide both sides by 0.5, or, since 0.5 = 1/2, multiply both sides by 2:
x = 6
Check: 0.5 × 6 = 3.
Both readings are correct: divide by the decimal, or clear it by multiplying by 2, since 0.5 is 1/2. Prices, measurements and rates arrive as decimals, so the habit of switching between 0.5, 1/2 and 50% is worth having.
Challenge
Solve the equation 0.25x = 4 for x.
Try it yourself
0.25x = 4
Solve for x
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Fundamentals
1What an Equation Is
The EquationFinding the UnknownThe Same to Both SidesSolved Means AloneRecap: First Equations4Two-Step Equations
Two Layers to UndoSubtract, Then DivideAdd, Then DivideA Division InsideNegatives in Two StepsRecap: Two-Step Equations2One-Step Equations
Undoing AdditionUndoing SubtractionUndoing MultiplicationUndoing DivisionInverse OperationsRecap: One-Step Equations5Tidying First
Like TermsTerms and Numbers MixedThe Distributive PropertyDistributing a SubtractionTidy, Then SolveRecap: Tidying First8Decimals and Percent
Decimal CoefficientsTwo-Step with DecimalsAdding a PercentPercent EquationsRecap: Decimals