Question

How do you solve `-9x - 16= - 151`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Step 1) Add `color(red)(16)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-9x - 16 + color(red)(16) = -151 + color(red)(16)`

`-9x - 0 = -135`

`-9x = -135`

Step 2) Divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(-9)` to solve for `x` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(-9x)/color(red)(-9) = (-135)/color(red)(-9)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-9)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-9)) = 15`

`x = 15`

Answer 2

14

Explanation:

`-9x=-151+16`
`x=(-135)/-9`
The minuses on the RHS will be cut as both numerator and denominator have `color(red)-`minus
`x=14`
To know `(-135)/-9`
we can simply make it,
`135/9`
and that's easy to do.