8 times what equals 3
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To solve the equation (8 \times x = 3), we need to isolate (x). This is done by dividing both sides of the equation by 8:
[
x = \frac{3}{8}
]
Thus, (x) equals (0.375).
Explanation:
The equation (8 \times x = 3) represents a simple linear equation where we are trying to find the value of (x) that makes the equation true. In this context, the number (8) acts as a coefficient of the variable (x). A coefficient is a number that is multiplied by a variable. Here, (x) is an unknown that we need to solve for.
To solve for (x), we want to reverse the operation being performed on (x). Since (8) is multiplied by (x), we can undo this operation by dividing both sides of the equation by (8). This method is based on the principle of maintaining equality in an equation; whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other.
After performing the division, we rewrite the equation as follows:
[
x = \frac{3}{8}
]
This fraction can be interpreted in several ways. In decimal form, (\frac{3}{8}) equals (0.375). This indicates that if you were to multiply (0.375) by (8), you would obtain (3), confirming that our solution is correct.
In practical terms, this type of equation might appear in various real-world situations, such as when scaling quantities, dividing resources, or adjusting measurements. Understanding how to manipulate equations in this way is a fundamental skill in mathematics that is widely applicable in fields such as science, engineering, finance, and everyday problem-solving. The process of isolating the variable and solving for it is essential in many mathematical applications.