The first step to solving the equation [tex]\(3.7x - 15.9 = 2.97\)[/tex] is to add 15.9 to both sides because it is the inverse operation of subtraction. This step helps to isolate the term involving [tex]\(x\)[/tex] on one side of the equation.
To detail the steps:
1. [tex]\(3.7x - 15.9 = 2.97\)[/tex]
2. Add 15.9 to both sides of the equation to cancel out the [tex]\(-15.9\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
3.7x - 15.9 + 15.9 = 2.97 + 15.9
\][/tex]
This simplifies to:
[tex]\[
3.7x = 18.87
\][/tex]
The next steps would involve isolating [tex]\(x\)[/tex] further, but the first essential step to solving this equation is to add 15.9 to both sides.
