Question

How do you solve `-15x - 169= 86+ 2x`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add `color(red)(15x)` and subtract `color(blue)(86)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-15x - 169 + color(red)(15x) - color(blue)(86) = 86 + 2x + color(red)(15x) - color(blue)(86)`

`-15x + color(red)(15x) - 169 - color(blue)(86) = 86 - color(blue)(86) + 2x + color(red)(15x)`

`0 - 255 = 0 + (2 + color(red)(15))x`

`-255 = 17x`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(17)` to solve the equation for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`-255/color(red)(17) = (17x)/color(red)(17)`

`-15 = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(17)))x)/cancel(color(red)(17))`

`-15 = x`

`x = -15`