3x+5=-16 how do you solve ?

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Answer 1 · 2018-05-31T20:24:34

Solving for x gives us $-7$

To solve for $x$ , you need to subtract 5 from both sides which gives us

$3x=-21$

Then you divide both sides by $3$ which gives us $x=-7$

But, you should double check to see if $-7$ works in when plugging it into the equation or otherwise you did something wrong.

$3(-7)+5=-16$

$-21+5=-16$

Distributed the $-7$ to the $3$ then added $-21$ to $5$

Answer 2 · 2018-05-31T20:42:31

$x = -7$

$3x + 5 = -16$

Subtracting $5$ from both sides;

$3x + 5 - 5 =-16 -5$

$3x + 0= -16 -5$

$3x = -21$

Dividing both sides by the coefficient of $x$

$(3x)/3 = (-21)/3$

$(cancel3x)/cancel3 = (-21)/3$

$x = (-21)/3$

$x = -7$