Answer: a) -6, b) -10, c) -3, d) -98, e) -6, f) 49, g) -3.75 h) -12
Step-by-step explanation: For equations like these, you need to solve to get the variables on their own. For problem a, add 5 to -23 (because 5 is negative, you add to cancel it out to 0) which gives us 3x = -18. Lastly, divide the whole equation by 3 to cancel 3 out so that x is alone: 3x/3 = -18/3. This gives us x = -6 (x is negative 6, not positive because a negative divided by a positive is ALWAYS negative).
Given equations like problem d, in order to get x alone, you need to use the opposite of division to make the problem solveable. In this case, multiply -7(denominator) on BOTH sides of the equation to balance it: (-7)x/-7 + (-7)(-3) = (-7)11. Now, we get x + 21 = -77. Then subtract 21 to -77: x = -98 (it isn't -56 because subtracting a positive and a negative means adding them).
TIP: to make sure your answer is correct, plug in the answers you got into the equation. For a, the answer was -6. 3(-6) -5 = -23. -23 = -23. This is a true statement, so the answer is correct.
