| 240 | ÷ | x | = | ( | 200 | ÷ | x | − | 4 | ) | − | 5 |
| Multiply both sides of the equation by: | x |
| 240 | = | ( | 200 | ÷ | x | − | 4 | ) | x | − | 5 | x |
| 240 | = | 200 | ÷ | x | × | x | − | 4 | x | − | 5 | x |
| 240 | = | 200 | ÷ | x | × | x | − | 9 | x |
| 9 | x | = | 200 | ÷ | 1 | × | 1 | − | 240 |
| 9 | x | = | 200 | − | 240 |
| 9 | x | = | - | 40 |
| x | = | - | 40 | ÷ | 9 |
| = | - | 40 | × | 1 9 |
| x | = | - | 40 9 |
| x | = | - 4.444444 |