Answer :

Let's solve the equation step by step!

The given equation is:
[tex]\[ 40 = 4.5x \][/tex]

Our goal is to solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex].

1. Isolate the variable [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:

Since [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is currently multiplied by 4.5, we need to get [tex]\( x \)[/tex] by itself. To do this, we divide both sides of the equation by 4.5.

[tex]\[ \frac{40}{4.5} = \frac{4.5x}{4.5} \][/tex]

On the left side, 40 divided by 4.5 simplifies to a numerical value, and on the right side, 4.5 divided by 4.5 cancels out, leaving [tex]\( x \)[/tex].

2. Simplify the left side:

[tex]\[ \frac{40}{4.5} = x \][/tex]

When we divide 40 by 4.5, we get:

[tex]\[ x = 8.88888888888889 \][/tex]

So, the solution to the equation [tex]\( 40 = 4.5x \)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[ x = 8.88888888888889 \][/tex]

Therefore, [tex]\( x = 8.88888888888889 \)[/tex] is the correct answer, not [tex]\( x = 44.5 \)[/tex].