Example

Solving 5x=275x = -27 Using the Division Property

To solve the equation 5x=275x = -27, the variable xx is being multiplied by 55, so the Division Property of Equality is used to undo that multiplication.

Step 1 — Divide both sides by the coefficient: Divide each side of the equation by 55:

5x5=275\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-27}{5}

Step 2 — Simplify: On the left side, 5x5=x\frac{5x}{5} = x. The right side cannot be simplified to a whole number, so the solution is the fraction:

x=275x = -\frac{27}{5}

Step 3 — Check by substitution: Replace xx with 275-\frac{27}{5} in the original equation:

5(275)=?275\left(-\frac{27}{5}\right) \stackrel{?}{=} -27

27=27-27 = -27 \checkmark

Because both sides are equal, x=275x = -\frac{27}{5} is confirmed as the solution. This example illustrates that applying the Division Property of Equality does not always produce a whole-number answer — when the constant on the right side is not evenly divisible by the coefficient, the solution is a fraction, and that is a perfectly valid result.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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