\"\"\"\"

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The sentence is one third equals negative seven times a number.

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The word “times” indicates the symbol " \"\""

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The word “equals” indicates the symbol “\"\"

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The word “negative” indicates the symbol “\"\""

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Let \"\" = number.          

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Rewrite the sentence into equation,

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\"\"\"\"

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The equation is \"\"

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According to division property of equality: Divide each side by 7.

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\"\"

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\"\"                     (Cancel common terms)

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\"\"                           (Multiply: \"\")

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\"\"                 (Multiply each side by negative one)

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\"\"                          (Product of two same signs is positive) \ \ \"\"

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Check:

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To check the solution, substitute \"\" in original equation.

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\"\"

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\"\"                              (Multiply:  \"\")

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Compare the values, the equation is true. The solution is \"\".\"\"

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The solution is \"\".