Question

How do you solve `159= - 5( 7x - 7) + 4x`?

Answer 1

`x=-4`

Explanation:

Begin by distributing the `-5` to both `7x` and `-7`

`159=color(red)(-5)*7xcolor(red)(-5)*-7+4x`

`159=-35x+35+4x`

Move like terms to one side by subtracting `35` from both sides:

`159color(red)(-35)=-35x+35color(red)(-35)+4x`

`124=-35x+4x`

Simplify the right side by adding like terms:

`124=-31x`

Divide `-31` from both sides to solve for `x`

`159/-31=cancel(-31)/cancel(-31)x`

`-4=x`