I would use fractions because 0.25=1/4 but 1/3=0.3333333333333 forever
also, we can cancel fractions by multiplying by the least common denomenator
so, write 0.25x as 1/4x
1/4x+7=1/3x-8
times both sides by 12
3x+84=4x-96
minus 3x both sides
84=x-96
add 96 to both sides
180=x
x=180
I would use fractions