How do you solve #-6m - - 4m - - 14= 18#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-05-04T21:10:00

See a solution process below:

First, rewrite the equation as (remember, "minus a minus is a plus"):

#-6m + 4m + 14 = 18#

Next, combine like terms on the left side of the equation:

#(-6 + 4)m + 14 = 18#

#-2m + 14 = 18#

Then, subtract #color(red)(14)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #m# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-2m + 14 - color(red)(14) = 18 - color(red)(14)#

#-2m + 0 = 4#

#-2m = 4#

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

#(-2m)/color(red)(-2) = 4/color(red)(-2)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-2)))m)/cancel(color(red)(-2)) = -2#

#m = -2#