How do you solve #3x - 15= - 22#?

Question

1180 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2017-09-19T20:05:47

See a solution process below:

First, add #color(red)(15)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#3x - 15 + color(red)(15) = -22 + color(red)(15)#

#3x - 0 = -7#

#3x = -7#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(3)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(3x)/color(red)(3) = -7/color(red)(3)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))x)/cancel(color(red)(3)) = -7/3#

#x = -7/3#