How do you solve #134= - 5( 5x - 7) - 1#?

1 Answer
Mar 30, 2017

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the term in parenthesis on the right side of the equation by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

#134 = color(red)(-5)(5x - 7) - 1#

#134 = (color(red)(-5) xx 5x) + (color(red)(-5) xx -7) - 1#

#134 = -25x + 35 - 1#

#134 = -25x + 34#

Next, subtract #color(red)(34)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#134 - color(red)(34) = -25x + 34 - color(red)(34)#

#100 = -25x + 0#

#100 = -25x#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(-25)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#100/color(red)(-25) = (-25x)/color(red)(-25)#

#-4 = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-25)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-25))#

#-4 = x#

#x = -4#