Question

How do you solve `-5( - 2x + 3) = 15- 5x`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

`color(red)(-5)(-2x + 3) = 15 - 5x`

`(color(red)(-5) xx -2x) + (color(red)(-5) xx 3) = 15 - 5x`

`10x + (-15) = 15 - 5x`

`10x - 15 = 15 - 5x`

Next, add `color(red)(15)` and `color(blue)(5x)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`10x + color(blue)(5x) - 15 + color(red)(15) = color(red)(15) + 15 - 5x + color(blue)(5x)`

`(10 + color(blue)(5))x - 0 = 30 - 0`

`15x = 30`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(15)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(15x)/color(red)(15) = 30/color(red)(15)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(15)))x)/cancel(color(red)(15)) = 2`

`x = 2`