Final answer:
The solution to the equation 2(j + 16) = -2 is found by distributing the multiplier, subtracting 32 from both sides, and then dividing by 2, resulting in j = -17.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve for j, we start with the given equation: 2(j + 16) = -2. We will solve this step by step:
Distribute the 2 to both terms inside the parentheses: 2 × j + 2 × 16 = 2j + 32.
The equation now looks like 2j + 32 = -2.
Subtract 32 from both sides of the equation to get the term with j alone: 2j + 32 - 32 = -2 - 32, which simplifies to 2j = -34.
Finally, divide both sides of the equation by 2 to find the value of j: 2j / 2 = -34 / 2, which gives us j = -17.
Therefore, the solution is j = -17.