To solve the equation, we can first take 17.1 to the right hand side, changing the minus to addition :
1/6x -17.1 = 18
1/6x = -18+17.1
1/6x = -0.9
To take away the fraction, we multiply both sides by 6 so that 1/6 can be taken away to solve the equation:
1/6x = -0.9
1/6x x 6 = -0.9 x 6
6/6x = -3.6
x = -3.6
We can also turn the decimal number into fraction to solve the equation in fraction:
-0.9
= -0.9 x 1/10
= -9/10
To solve the equation:
1/6x = -9/10
x = -9/10 x 6
x = -36/10
x = -18/5
x= -3 3/5
Therefore, x = -3.6 or -3 3/5.
Hope it helps!
