Solve the Equation: Discover X in 7/8x = 2/5

Multiplying by the reciprocal is the same as dividing! Since $\frac{7}{8}x = \frac{2}{5}$, we need to divide both sides by $\frac{7}{8}$, which equals multiplying by $\frac{8}{7}$.

Flip the numerator and denominator! The reciprocal of $\frac{7}{8}$ is $\frac{8}{7}$. For whole numbers like 5, write it as $\frac{5}{1}$ first, then flip to get $\frac{1}{5}$.

No, $\frac{16}{35}$ is already in simplest form! Since 16 and 35 share no common factors (16 = 2⁴, 35 = 5×7), this fraction cannot be reduced.

Remember: multiply numerators together, multiply denominators together. So $\frac{8}{7} \times \frac{2}{5} = \frac{8 \times 2}{7 \times 5} = \frac{16}{35}$. Don't cross-multiply or add!

Substitute your answer back into the original equation: $\frac{7}{8} \times \frac{16}{35}$. Multiply to get $\frac{112}{280} = \frac{2}{5}$ after simplifying. It matches!