First, multiply each side of the equation by #color(red)(30)# to eliminate the fractions while keeping the equation balanced. #color(red)(3)# is the Lowest Common Denominator of the three fractions:
#color(red)(30)(1/2z + 1/3) = color(red)(30) * -2/5#
#(color(red)(30) * 1/2z) + (color(red)(30) * 1/3) = cancel(color(red)(30))6 * -2/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(5)))#
#(cancel(color(red)(30)) 15 * 1/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))z) + (cancel(color(red)(30)) 10 * 1/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))) = 6 * -2#
#(15 * 1z) + (10 * 1) = -12#
#15z + 10 = -12#
Next, subtract #color(red)(10)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #z# term while keeping the equation balanced:
#15z + 10 - color(red)(10) = -12 - color(red)(10)#
#15z + 0 = -22#
#15z = -22#
Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(15)# to solve for #z# while keeping the equation balanced:
#(15z)/color(red)(15) = -22/color(red)(15)#
#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(15)))z)/cancel(color(red)(15)) = -22/15#
#z = -22/15#