Final answer:
The student's algebraic equation is solved by combining like terms, isolating the variable X, and then dividing by the coefficient to find that X is approximately -1.619.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation given by the student is X + 20x+20 – 5 = – 19.
To solve for X, combine like terms first, which gives us 21X + 20 = – 19 + 5.
Simplifying the right-hand side we get 21X + 20 = – 14.
Subtract 20 from both sides to isolate the term with X, resulting in 21X = – 34.
Lastly, divide both sides by 21 to find X, so X = – 34/21.
Simplified, X = – 1 13/21 or as a decimal, approximately X = – 1.619.