Question

How do you solve `2- 3x - 7= 16`?

Answer 1

Combine like terms and isolate x. `x=-7`

Explanation:

We want to isolate the x by itself. In order to this, first we will combine like terms on the left...

`2-3x-7=16 -> -3x +2-7 = 16 -> -3x -5 = 16`

Then we move all the terms not involving x to the right hand side...

`-> -3x-5+5=16+5 -> -3x=21`

And finally to isolate the x, divide by -3.

`-> (-3x)/-3 = 21/(-3) -> x = -7`