Answer: x = -2
Step-by-step explanation: To solve for <em>x</em>, in the equation you see here, our goal is to get <em>x</em> by itself.
Our first step will be to isolate the term containing <em>x</em> which in this case is 4x. To isolate 4x, we have to get rid of the +3 by subtracting 3 from both sides of the equation. On the left, +3 and -3 cancel out and we're left with 4x. On the right, -5 - 3 simplifies to -8.
Now we have the equation 4x = -8.
To get <em>x</em> by itself, we divide both sides of the equation by 4. On the left, the 4's cancel and on the right, -8 divided by 3 is -2 so <em>x = -2</em>
