Question

How do you solve `\frac { 5- 2x } { 3} = 9`?

Answer 1

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, multiply each side of the equation by `color(red)(3)` to eliminate that fraction while keeping the equation balanced:

`color(red)(3) xx (5 - 2x)/3 = color(red)(3) xx 9`

`cancel(color(red)(3)) xx (5 - 2x)/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3))) = 27`

`5 - 2x = 27`

Next, subtract `color(red)(5)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-color(red)(5) + 5 - 2x = -color(red)(5) + 27`

`0 - 2x = 22`

`-2x = 22`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(-2)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(-2x)/color(red)(-2) = 22/color(red)(-2)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-2)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-2)) = -11`

`x = -11`