How do I solve this math problem? 7m= -2m -10?

Question

I know its an easy math problem but I dont get it!!!
BTW iM only 12 (7th grade)

if u ask me to ask ym teacher to help me. wont. he is the basketball team coach n im on it.. and he is a perve....he acts li he drops his pencil n loosk up girls skirts! so yea....sorry but i wotn do that!

Answer 1

The answer has already been shown, so you may not even bother reading this, but I thought I'd go into more depth on why you are doing what you are doing...

7m = -2m - 10

At each step, your goal is to make the problem simpler in such a way that you are closer to having a solution for the variable. If you can find a way to do this, you're half way there.

In this particular problem, you want to get all the variable terms to one side of the equals side and all the constant terms (terms without a variable) on the other side. Thus, all the terms with the variable m on the left, and all the constant terms to the right.

7m = -2m - 10

How does one get that pesky -2m out of the right hand side of the equation? All you have to do is "add the opposite" since a + -a = 0 (read: a plus the opposite of a is zero). The opposite of -2m is +2m. So we add 2m to the right which will leave us with zero on the right. And to keep the equation balanced, we must also add 2m to the left side of the equation.

7m + (2m) = -2m - 10 + (2m)

Now combine like terms.

9m = 0m - 10

Since 0m is nothing, we just discard it. (BIG TIME NOTE: If 0m were all by itself on one side of the equation, you would not discard it, but rather simplify it to zero)

9m = -10

Now, you have solved for 9m, getting one step closer to solving for m.

To get rid of that 9 attached to the m, you multiply by its reciprocal, which is 1/9. (Note: most people will say divide by 9, but its best to get use to multiplying by the reciprocal as when you have fractional coefficients, dividing won't work too well). Don't forget to do the multiplication on both sides.

(1/9) 9m = (1/9)(-10)

m = -10/9

If I've confused with all this, try to have your teacher walk you through each step.

Answer 2

ohh i get it 7m=-2m -10.ok first u have to get the letter alone and what u do to one side u must do to the other. so u take -2m next to 7m and the sign changes into adding so 7m + +2m=9m and 9m=-10 oh i got it that will help when i go to the 7th grade next year.i hope i helped.also i said when u move the sign it changes so add=sub sub=add mul=div div=mul

Answer 3

7m=-2m - 10
7m + 2m = - 10
9m = - 10
m = -10 / 9 or 1 1/9

Answer 4

7m=-2m - 10
7m + 2m = - 10
9m = - 10
m = -10 / 9