How do you solve 3x - 15= - 22?

1 Answer
Sep 19, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add color(red)(15) to each side of the equation to isolate the x term while keeping the equation balanced:

3x - 15 + color(red)(15) = -22 + color(red)(15)

3x - 0 = -7

3x = -7

Now, divide each side of the equation by color(red)(3) to solve for x while keeping the equation balanced:

(3x)/color(red)(3) = -7/color(red)(3)

(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))x)/cancel(color(red)(3)) = -7/3

x = -7/3