Simplifying
4.3 + -1.4(p + 7) = -9.7
Reorder the terms:
4.3 + -1.4(7 + p) = -9.7
4.3 + (7 -1.4 + p -1.4) = -9.7
4.3 + (-9.8 + -1.4p) = -9.7
Combine like terms: 4.3 + -9.8 = -5.5
-5.5 + -1.4p = -9.7
Solving
-5.5 + -1.4p = -9.7
Solving for variable 'p'.
Move all terms containing p to the left, all other terms to the right.
Add '5.5' to each side of the equation.
-5.5 + 5.5 + -1.4p = -9.7 + 5.5
Combine like terms: -5.5 + 5.5 = 0.0
0.0 + -1.4p = -9.7 + 5.5
-1.4p = -9.7 + 5.5
Combine like terms: -9.7 + 5.5 = -4.2
-1.4p = -4.2
Divide each side by '-1.4'.
p = 3
Simplifying
p = 3