Answer:
x = -4
Step-by-step explanation:
Recall the Order of Operations rules:
Any work enclosed in parentheses must be done first if possible; in this particular problem, nothing inside parentheses is possible.
Next: multiplication and division, and
Finally: addition and subtraction.
Thus, we must focus on the multiplication -3(4x - 8) and 3(-8x - 1) first:
-3 -16x + 32 = -24x - 3
Adding 3 to both sides simplifies this equation to -16x + 32 = -24x.
Adding 16x to both sides isolates x on the right side: 32 = -8x.
Finally, x = -32/8, or x = -4
