Question

How do you solve `−2(x − 5) = −4`?

Answer 1

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, we need to remove the terms from parenthesis on the left side of the equation. To do this we must multiply each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

`color(red)(-2)(x - 5) = -4`

`(color(red)(-2) * x) + (color(red)(-2) * -5) = -4`

`-2x + 10 = -4`

Next, subtract `color(red)(10)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-2x + 10 - color(red)(10) = -4 - color(red)(10)`

`-2x + 0 = -14`

`-2x = -14`

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

`(-2x)/color(red)(-2) = (-14)/color(red)(-2)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-2)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-2)) = 7`

`x = 7`

Answer 2

x=7

Explanation:

1. Use the distributive property

`-2(x)+(-2)(-5)=-4`
2. Simplify

`-2x+10=-4`

1. Bring all like terms to one side and simplify

`-2x=-4-10`

`-2x=-14`

`x=(-14)/-2`

`x=7`

ANSWER: `x=7`

Answer 3

`x=7`

Explanation:

Begin by distributing the `-2` to `x` and `-5`

`-2(x-5)=-4 -> -2x+10=-4`

Then subtract 10 to both sides:

`-2x+cancel(10-10)=-4-10 -> -2x=-14`

Finally, divide `-2` from both sides to solve for `x`

`cancel(-2)/cancel(-2)x=-14/(-2)`

`x=7`