1. The problem is to solve the linear equation $3.9x - 8 = -7$ for $x$.\n2. Start by isolating the term with $x$ on one side of the equation. Add $8$ to both sides:\n$$3.9x - 8 + 8 = -7 + 8$$\n$$3.9x = 1$$\n3. Now solve for $x$ by dividing both sides by $3.9$:\n$$x = \frac{1}{3.9}$$\n4. To get a decimal approximation, divide 1 by 3.9:\n$$x \approx 0.25641$$\n5. So the solution to the equation is $x \approx 0.256$ (rounded to three decimal places).