Solve the Linear Equation: 5.1x - 4 = 3.8x + 5 - 1.2x

Simplifying makes the equation much easier to work with! Instead of juggling multiple terms, you get clean expressions like $5.1x - 0.2 = 2.6x + 5$. This reduces calculation errors significantly.

Convert decimals to fractions if needed: $2.5 = \frac{5}{2}$, so $x = \frac{5.2}{2.5} = \frac{5.2 \times 2}{5} = \frac{10.4}{5} = 2.08$. Or multiply by 10 to eliminate one decimal place at a time.

If substitution doesn't work, you made an error! Go back and check your combining like terms step first - that's where most mistakes happen. Then verify each algebraic operation.

Absolutely! You could subtract $5.1x$ from both sides instead. You'd get $-0.2 = -2.5x + 5$, leading to the same answer. Choose whichever keeps coefficients positive when possible.

Double-check your arithmetic! $\frac{5.2}{2.5}$ can be calculated as $\frac{52}{25} = 2.08$. If you're getting something like 2.6 or 0.48, you likely made a calculation error.