Question

The sum of twice a number and 17 is -1

Answer 1

Let call the number we are searching for x. 2*x + 17 = -1 so 2*x = -1-17 = -18 and x = -18/2 = -9

Answer 2

let the number x

2x +17=-1

collect like term

2x=-1 -17

2x = -18

divide through by 2

2x/2 =-18/2

x=-9