How do you find the value of x to the nearest tenth?

Cracking the Code: Finding ‘x’ and Getting Real with Decimals

So, you’re staring down an equation, hunting for ‘x’. We’ve all been there. But what happens when ‘x’ isn’t a nice, neat whole number? That’s where rounding to the nearest tenth comes in – a seriously useful skill, whether you’re crunching numbers for a science project or just trying to split the bill with friends.

The Tenths Place: It’s Closer Than You Think

First things first, let’s talk about the tenths place. Forget complicated definitions; it’s simply the first number after the decimal point. Think of it like this: in the number 12.345, that ‘3’ is hanging out in the tenths spot. And when we round to the nearest tenth, we’re basically tidying up the number to have just one digit after that decimal. Easy peasy.

Rounding: Not as Scary as It Sounds

Okay, so how do you round? It’s all about looking at the number after the tenths place – the hundredths place. Here’s the golden rule:

• If that hundredths digit is a 5 or bigger, round the tenths digit up. So, 7.86 becomes 7.9. Imagine you’re climbing a ladder; once you hit the halfway point (5), you push yourself up to the next rung.
• If that hundredths digit is a 4 or smaller, the tenths digit stays put. Just chop off everything after the tenths place. For example, 247.137 turns into a nice, clean 247.1. Think of it as gravity – anything less than halfway just gets pulled back down.
• Don’t forget about zero! If you have a zero in the tenths place and you round down, keep that zero. 4.03 becomes 4.0. That zero is important; it tells you how precise your measurement is.

Unleashing ‘x’: Solving Equations Like a Boss

Now for the fun part: actually finding ‘x’. Equations come in all shapes and sizes, from simple ones you can solve in your head to monsters that require a bit more effort.

1. Simple Equations:

• The name of the game is isolating ‘x’. Whatever you do to one side of the equation, you have to do to the other. Remember that. For instance, if you’ve got 2x + 3 = 11, subtract 3 from both sides (leaving you with 2x = 8), then divide both sides by 2. Boom! x = 4. No rounding needed here, but you get the idea.

2. Quadratic Equations:

• These are the equations that look like ax² + bx + c = 0. Remember those? You can solve them by factoring (if you’re lucky), completing the square (if you’re feeling ambitious), or by using the quadratic formula (when all else fails). That formula is a beast: