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#