Question

how do I find the value of x in this equation
4 – 5(x + 3) = 2

Answer 1

$

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

4-5x-15=2 \\

4-5x-15+15=2+15 \\

4-5x=17 \\

4-5x-4=17-4 \\

-5x=13 \\

-5x\cdot(-1)=13\cdot(-1) \\

5x=-13 \\

5x\div5=-13\div5 \\

x=\boxed{-\dfrac{13}{5}}

$

Hope this helps.

r3t40

Answer 2

Answer:

$\displaystyle4-5\left(x+3\right)=2\quad :\quad x=-\frac{13}{5}\quad \left(\mathrm{Decimal}:\quad x=-2.6\right)$

Step-by-step explanation:

$4-5\left(x+3\right)=2$

$\gray{\mathrm{Subtract\:}4\mathrm{\:from\:both\:sides}}$

$4-5\left(x+3\right)-4=2-4$

$\gray{\mathrm{Simplify}}$

$-5\left(x+3\right)=-2$

$\gray{\mathrm{Divide\:both\:sides\:by\:}-5}$

$\displaystyle\frac{-5\left(x+3\right)}{-5}=\frac{-2}{-5}$

$\gray{\mathrm{Simplify}}$

$\displaystyle x+3=\frac{2}{5}$

$\gray{\mathrm{Subtract\:}3\mathrm{\:from\:both\:sides}}$

$\displaystyle x+3-3=\frac{2}{5}-3$

$\gray{\mathrm{Simplify}}$

$\displaystyle x=-\frac{13}{5}$