Question

How do you solve `7( - 5- x ) = 8( - x + 13)`?

Answer 1

139

Explanation:

First we will eliminate the parentheses by multiplying:
`7(-5 - x) = 8(-x +13)`
`-35 - 7x = -8x + 104`
Now we will move all the variables (x) to one side to isolate them.
`-35 - 7x = -8x + 104` (add `8x` to both sides)
`-35 + x = + 104` (add `35` to both sides)
`x = 139`

Check:
`7(-5 - 139) = 8(-139 +13)`
`7(-144) = 8(-126)`
`-1008 = -1008` True, so the answer is correct.