Question

How do you solve `- 3x - 2( x + 5) = 35`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

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

`-3x - color(red)(2)(x + 5) = 35`

`-3x - (color(red)(2) xx x) - (color(red)(2) xx 5) = 35`

`-3x - 2x - 10 = 35`

`(-3 - 2)x - 10 = 35`

`-5x - 10 = 35`

Next, add `color(red)(10)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-5x - 10 + color(red)(10) = 35 + color(red)(10)`

`-5x - 0 = 45`

`-5x = 45`

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

`(-5x)/color(red)(-5) = 45/color(red)(-5)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-5)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-5)) = -9`

`x = -9`