How do you solve #2x + 9- 7x = - 71#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-06-11T00:39:56

#x=16#

What you want to do first is combine like terms:

#color(green)(2x)+9-color(green)(7x)=-71#

#color(green)(2x)-color(green)(7x)+9=-71#

#-5x+9=-71#

Then subtract nine from both sides:

#-5x+cancel9-cancel9=-71-9#

#-5x=-80#

Then divide by #-5# on both sides:

#cancel(-5x)/cancel(-5)=(-80)/-5#

#x=16#