Answer: x = -7/2.
Explanation:
Step 1: Distribute the 3 to both terms inside the parentheses:
-2(x + 5) - 4 = -7
Step 2: Simplify the expression by multiplying:
-2x - 10 - 4 = -7
Step 3: Combine like terms on the left side:
-2x - 14 = -7
Step 4: Isolate the variable term by adding 14 to both sides:
-2x - 14 + 14 = -7 + 14
-2x = 7
Step 5: Solve for x by dividing both sides by -2:
(-2x) / -2 = 7 / -2
x = -7/2
Therefore, the solution to the equation is x = -7/2.