How do you solve #- 23x - 18 = 0#?

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Answer 1 · 2018-03-09T03:12:21

See a solution process below:

First, add #color(red)(18)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-23x - 18 + color(red)(18) = 0 + color(red)(18)#

#-23x - 0 = 18#

#-23x = 18#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(-23)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(-23x)/color(red)(-23) = 18/color(red)(-23)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-23)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-23)) = -18/23#

#x = -18/23#