Algebra question from a glencoe maths sheet my daughter has been given: -4 = [7x-(-1)]/-8

we have not been given a solutions sheet. m working out is:
-4 = [7x-(-1)]/-8
-4 x-8 = {7x+1}/-8 x -8
32= 7x +1
32-1= 7x +1-1
31= 7x
31/7 = 7x/7
x = 4.42
normally the answer is a whole number. where have i gone wrong?

Check and make sure you copied the problem correctly. Did you? If yes, then you're answer is correct. The worksheet might be seeking an improper fraction or mixed fraction as an answer, in which case:
x=31/7 (improper fraction)
x= 4 3/7 (mixed fraction)

I would go with one of the above, rather than a decimal answer, though they are all equivalent. Also, check and see if the other problems have similar answers. The steps in your work is correct, so no worries about that!

Be careful, you have used x as the multiplication symbol and a variable. To avoid confusion use * as the multiplication symbol.

There is no error, until you approximated 31/7.

It should be 4.4285714285714285714285714285714...

Notice the repeated digits 142857, which is a characteristic of rational number (fractions) as decimals.

Replace x by 31/7 (the fraction, not the decimal) in the original equation and compute the right side. It should yield -4.

Not all equations have nice whole numbers as solutions. As a matter of fact, more have not so nice numbers as solutions. Tell your daughter to get used to it!

That is correct!

They usually start with equations that have whole number answers to make it easier,
but then they progress to decimal and fraction solutions.

It is also more likely that they would leave the solution as a fraction, x = 31/7.

-4=(7x+1)/-8
7x+1=32
x=31/7
Don not express with decimals.

-4 = (7x + 1)/(-8)

Multiply by -8.

32 = 7x + 1

31 = 7x

x = 4.42

It looks like you did it right.

-4 = (7x+1)/-8
32 = 7x+1
x = 31/7

your answer is right nothing wrong with it.

I just did this in my head. I do not think it went wrong. R u sure that's not right. Try a different way maybe?