Chapter 2 - Solving Equations - 2-1 Solving One-Step Equations - Practice and Problem-Solving Exercises - Page 85: 24

$p = -9.6$

$-2.5 = p + 7.1$ We need to isolate the variable $p$ on the R.H.S by subtracting $2.5$ from both sides as shown below: $-2.5 - 7.1 = p + 7.1 - 7.1$ Simplify to get: $-9.6 = p$ Therefore, the equation has a possible solution at $p = -9.6$