Final answer:
To solve this equation, we need to isolate the unknown number x. By performing a series of steps, we can find that x is equal to -7/4 or -1.75.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve this problem, let's first represent the unknown number as x.
The equation can be written as -5x - 18 = -9x - 25.
To solve for x, we need to isolate it on one side of the equation. We can do this by adding 9x to both sides:
-5x + 9x - 18 = -25.
This simplifies to 4x - 18 = -25.
Next, we can add 18 to both sides:
4x - 18 + 18 = -25 + 18.
This gives us 4x = -7.
Finally, we divide both sides by 4 to solve for x:
4x/4 = -7/4.
The solution is x = -7/4 or -1.75.