Predict the result
Solve five x equals negative twenty-seven.
Which operation undoes multiplication by five?

Set up the model
Divide both sides by five.
Five is nonzero, so this preserves equality.

Work the example
The exact solution is negative twenty-seven over five.
Multiply that fraction by five to check.
The original equation becomes negative twenty-seven equals negative twenty-seven.
The fraction is an exact value.

Check the result
Now solve three y equals negative forty-one.
Take eight seconds to think before the answer appears.
[Eight-second silent pause to work; the answer remains hidden.]
Divide both sides by three.
The exact solution is negative forty-one over three.

Interpret the result
Always check a proposed solution in the original equation.
Use the original task and check that your result fits its meaning.