Question

Question #36b7c

Answer 1

The number, `x`, is equal to `-2`.

Explanation:

Let’s break it down.

“Three times the sum of five times a number . . .”

So we’re multiplying `3` by `5` multiplied by a number, which we’ll call `x\implies3(5x)`

“ . . . and `4`”

`5x` is being added to `4`, which we can represent as `3(5x+4)`.

“ . . . is `-18`.”

That means the above expression equals `-18`:

`3(5x+4)=-18`

Now simply solve for `x` by distributing the `3`:

`\implies 15x+12=-18`

Subtracting `12` from both sides:

`\implies 15x=-30`

Divide both sides by `15`:

`x=-2`