Question

How do you solve `12+ \frac { 4} { 5} x = - 16`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, subtract `color(red)(12)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-color(red)(12) + 12 + 4/5x = -color(red)(12) - 16`

`0 + 4/5x = -28`

`4/5x = -28`

Now, multiply each side of the equation by `color(red)(5)/color(blue)(4)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`color(red)(5)/color(blue)(4) xx 4/5x = color(red)(5)/color(blue)(4) xx -28`

`cancel(color(red)(5))/cancel(color(blue)(4)) xx color(blue)(cancel(color(black)(4)))/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(5)))x = color(red)(5)/color(blue)(4) xx (4 xx -7)`

`x = color(red)(5)/cancel(color(blue)(4)) xx (color(blue)(cancel(color(black)(4))) xx -7)`

`x = -35`