How do you solve #35=-5+2x-7x#?

Question

2098 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2018-05-30T12:40:11

See a solution process below:

First, add #color(red)(5)# to isolate the #x# terms while keeping the equation balanced:

#35 + color(red)(5) = -5 + color(red)(5) + 2x - 7x#

#40 = 0 + 2x - 7x#

#40 = 2x - 7x#

Next, combine the terms on the right side of the equation:

#40 = (2 - 7)x#

#40 = -5x#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(-5)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#40/color(red)(-5) = (-5x)/color(red)(-5)#

#-8 = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-5)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-5))#

#-8 = x#

#x = -8#