Question

How do you solve `8(-8-3x)=-136`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(8)` to eliminate the parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:

`(8(-8 - 3x))/color(red)(8) = -136/color(red)(8)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(8)))(-8 - 3x))/cancel(color(red)(8)) = -17`

`-8 - 3x = -17`

Next, add `color(red)(8)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`color(red)(8) - 8 - 3x = color(red)(8) - 17`

`0 - 3x = -9`

`-3x = -9`

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

`(-3x)/color(red)(-3) = (-9)/color(red)(-3)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-3)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-3)) = 3`

`x = 3`