How do you solve #5( - 1x - 4) = - 30#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-05-12T04:09:36

See a solution process below:

First, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(5)# to eliminate the parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:

#(5(-1x - 4))/color(red)(5) = -30/color(red)(5)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(5)))(-1x - 4))/cancel(color(red)(5)) = -6#

#-1x - 4 = -6#

Next, add #color(red)(4)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-1x - 4 + color(red)(4) = -6 + color(red)(4)#

#-1x - 0 = -2#

#-1x = -2#

Now, multiply each side of the equation by #color(red)(-1)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#color(red)(-1) * -1x = color(red)(-1) * -2#

#1x = 2#

#x = 2#