Question

-18=-5x-(-2) what is x?

Answer 1

x = 4

Explanation:

-18 = -5x-(-2)

i) when there is a '-' sign in front of an expression in parentheses, change the sign of each term in the expression

-18 = -5x+2

ii) move -5x to the left-hand side and change its sign

5x-18 = 2

iii) move -18 to the right-hand side and change its sign

5x = 2+18

iv) add the numbers

5x = 20

v) divide both sides of the equation by 5

`(5x)/(5) = (20)/(5)`

`x = 4`