Question

5(-3x - 2) - (x - 3) = -4 (4x +5) + 13

Answer 1

Start off by distributing the numbers into the parentheses:

5(-3x - 2) - (x - 3) = -4(4x + 5) + 13
-15x - 10 - (x - 3) = -16x - 20 + 13

(Note: It's super important to be careful when opening up negative parentheses! -(x-3) is not just - x - 3, it is actually -x + 3 since the negative is distributed in every number!)

-15x - 10 - x + 3 = -16x - 20 + 13
-16x - 7 = -16x - 7
-16x = -16x
0 = 0

There is an infinite number of solutions in this equation.

(When you get 0=0 when solving for a variable, that means that said variable will have infinite solutions, that is, any number plugged into the equation will work)

Answer 2

Answer: No value for x

Explanation:

Step 1: open the bracket

5(-3x - 2) - (x - 3) = -4 (4x +5) + 13

-15x + 10 - x +3= -16x - 20 +13

Step 2: combine like terms

-15x - x + 16x = -20 +13 -10 -3

-16× +16× = -20

0= -20