How do you solve #-13k - 9= - 15k - 17#?

1 Answer
Nov 4, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add #color(red)(9)# and #color(blue)(15k)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #k# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#color(blue)(15k) - 13k - 9 + color(red)(9) = color(blue)(15k) - 15k - 17 + color(red)(9)#

#(color(blue)(15) - 13)k - 0 = 0 - 8#

#2k = -8#

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

#(2k)/color(red)(2) = -8/color(red)(2)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))k)/cancel(color(red)(2)) = -4#

#k = -4#