Answer: x = -1.5
Step-by-step explanation:
To simplify the expression using the distributive property, let's start by applying the distributive property on both sides of the equation:
On the left side:
5x + 3(x + 7)
= 5x + 3 * x + 3 * 7
= 5x + 3x + 21
= 8x + 21
On the right side:
11 - (2x + 5)
= 11 - 2x - 5
= 6 - 2x
So, after simplifying both sides of the equation, you have:
8x + 21 = 6 - 2x
Now, you can solve for x. First, let's get the x terms on one side:
8x + 2x + 21 = 6
Combine like terms:
10x + 21 = 6
Now, subtract 21 from both sides to isolate the x term:
10x = 6 - 21
10x = -15
Finally, divide by 10 to solve for x:
x = -15 / 10
x = -1.5
So, the solution for x is x = -1.5.