How do you solve -5x + 23+ 7x + 23= 4?

1 Answer
Aug 1, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, group and then combine like terms on the left side of the equation:

-5x + 7x + 23 + 23 = 4

(-5 + 7)x + (23 + 23) = 4

2x + 46 = 4

Next, subtract color(red)(46) from each side of the equation to isolate the x term while keeping the equation balanced:

2x + 46 - color(red)(46) = 4 - color(red)(46)

2x + 0 = -42

2x = -42

Now, divide each side of the equation by color(red)(2) to solve for x while keeping the equation balanced:

(2x)/color(red)(2) = -42/color(red)(2)

(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))x)/cancel(color(red)(2)) = -21

x = -21