Question

How do you solve `35=-5+2x-7x`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add `color(red)(5)` to isolate the `x` terms while keeping the equation balanced:

`35 + color(red)(5) = -5 + color(red)(5) + 2x - 7x`

`40 = 0 + 2x - 7x`

`40 = 2x - 7x`

Next, combine the terms on the right side of the equation:

`40 = (2 - 7)x`

`40 = -5x`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(-5)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`40/color(red)(-5) = (-5x)/color(red)(-5)`

`-8 = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-5)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-5))`

`-8 = x`

`x = -8`