Question

-5 - 2(3x - 4) = 21

Answer 1

The equation -5 - 2(3x - 4) = 21 is solved by distributing the -2, combining like terms, and then isolating and solving for x, resulting in x equaling -3.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the equation -5 - 2(3x - 4) = 21, we need to perform operations step by step. First, we distribute the -2 across the parenthesis:

• -2 × 3x = -6x
• -2 × -4 = +8

Now the equation looks like this: -5 - 6x + 8 = 21.

Next, we combine like terms which are the constants -5 and +8:

• -5 + 8 = 3

The equation now simplifies to -6x + 3 = 21. We then isolate the term containing x by subtracting 3 from both sides:

• -6x + 3 - 3 = 21 - 3
• -6x = 18

Finally, to find the value of x, we divide both sides by -6:

• x = 18 / -6
• x = -3

Thus, the solution to the equation is x = -3.

Answer 2

x=5 and 2/3 or 5.6666666666666666666