Question

Solve please!

−3(x+5)=−9

Answer 1

To solve this, you need to isolate/get the variable "x" by itself in the equation:

-3(x + 5) = -9 Distribute/multiply -3 into (x + 5)

(-3)x + (-3)5 = -9

-3x - 15 = -9 Add 15 on both sides

-3x - 15 + 15 = -9 + 15

-3x = 6 Divide -3 on both sides to get "x" by itself

`(-3x)/(-3) =(6)/(-3)`

x = -2

I just realized I took unnecessary steps....you could've just divided -3 then subtracted 5

-3(x + 5) = -9 Divide -3 on both sides [two negative signs cancel each other out and become positive]

x + 5 = 3 Subtract 5

x = -2

Answer 2

Before beginning to solve these kinds of questions, always check if it's really necessary to distribute them.

You can divide both sides by -3 in order to get:

x + 5 = 3
Subtract both sides by 5:
x = -2

-T.B.