Question

How do you solve for `x` in `-a x + 3b = 5`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, subtract `color(red)(3b)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `x` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-ax + 3b - color(red)(3b) = 5 - color(red)(3b)`

`-ax + 0 = 5 - 3b`

`-ax = 5 - 3b`

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

`(-ax)/color(red)(-a) = (5 - 3b)/color(red)(-a)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-a)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-a)) = -(5 - 3b)/a`

`x = -(5 - 3b)/a`

Or

`x = -5/a + (3b)/a`