Question

How do I find the value of x in this equation
4 – 5(x + 3) = 2

Answer 1

`\displaystyle4-5\left(x+3\right)=2\quad :\quad x=-(13)/(5)\quad \left(\mathrm{Decimal}:\quad x=-2.6\right)`

Explanation:

`4-5\left(x+3\right)=2`

`\gray{\mathrm{Subtract\:}4\mathrm{\:from\:both\:sides}}`

`4-5\left(x+3\right)-4=2-4`

`\gray{\mathrm{Simplify}}`

`-5\left(x+3\right)=-2`

`\gray{\mathrm{Divide\:both\:sides\:by\:}-5}`

`\displaystyle(-5\left(x+3\right))/(-5)=(-2)/(-5)`

`\gray{\mathrm{Simplify}}`

`\displaystyle x+3=(2)/(5)`

`\gray{\mathrm{Subtract\:}3\mathrm{\:from\:both\:sides}}`

`\displaystyle x+3-3=(2)/(5)-3`

`\gray{\mathrm{Simplify}}`

`\displaystyle x=-(13)/(5)`

Answer 2

`</p><p>4-5(x+3)=2 \\</p><p>4-5x-15=2 \\</p><p>4-5x-15+15=2+15 \\</p><p>4-5x=17 \\</p><p>4-5x-4=17-4 \\</p><p>-5x=13 \\</p><p>-5x\cdot(-1)=13\cdot(-1) \\</p><p>5x=-13 \\</p><p>5x/5=-13/5 \\</p><p>x=\boxed{-(13)/(5)}</p><p>`

Hope this helps.

r3t40