Question

Find the value of the variable.

$5=-\frac{e}{3}$

Short answer

The value of the variable is $\mathit{e}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{15}$.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Multiply by 3

To find the value of variable e in the equation $5=-\frac{e}{3}$, multiply both sides of the equation by 3.

$5\times 3=-\frac{e}{3}\times 3$

Step 2. Simplify the equation.

To further simplify, cancel the common factor of 3 on the right-hand side of the equation.

$\begin{array}{l}5\times 3=-\frac{e}{\cancel{3}}\times \cancel{3}\\ 15=-e\end{array}$

Step 3. Multiply by -1.

In order to obtain e, multiply the equation $15=-e$from both sides with $-1$.

$\begin{array}{l}15\times \left(-1\right)=-e\times \left(-1\right)\\ -15=e\end{array}$

Step 4. Verify the value.

In order to verify the value of e, substitute $-15$ for e into the equation $5=-\frac{e}{3}$.

$\begin{array}{l}5=-\frac{\left(-15\right)}{3}\\ 5=5\text{True}\end{array}$

Hence, the value of the variable is $e=-15$.