Question

How do you solve this 2 step equation: -12(x+5)=144

Answer 1

First you have to distribute the -12 to the x and 5. So you would get -12x -60=144. Then you add 60 to each side and get -12x=204. Then divide 204 by -12 and you get the answer of x=-17.

Answer 2

-12(x+5)=144
(use distributive property) -12x+ (-60)=144
                                                 +60     +60
    -12x=204
    -204   -204
  -12x-204=0
  +12x       +12x
 -204=12x
-204/12  12x/12
-17=x
x=-17