document.write( "Question 99464This question is from textbook McDougal Little Pre-Algegra
\n" ); document.write( ": Please help us with this problem: We are stumped -40-(2x+5)=-61 Thank you! \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #72355 by doukungfoo(195) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
$\"-40-%282x%2B5%29=-61\"$
\n" ); document.write( "First to do is simplify the equation by removing the parentheses.
\n" ); document.write( "This is done by using the distributive property.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"-%282x%2B5%29\"$ equals $\"-1%282x%2B5%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( "so you have to multiply $\"%282x%2B5%29\"$ by $\"-1\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Now the equation looks like this:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"-40-2x-5=-61\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Next combine like terms. So -40 combines with -5 to become -45 like so:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"-45-2x=-61\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Next move all the terms with x to one side of the equal sign and
\n" ); document.write( "all terms without x to the opposite side of the equal sign.
\n" ); document.write( "To this add 45 to both sides of the equal sign like so:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"-45%2B45-2x=-61%2B45\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"-2x=-16\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Now to solve for x divide both sides of the equal sign by -2
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28-2x%29%2F%28-2%29=%28-16%29%2F%28-2%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( "-2x divided by -2 leaves x and -16 divided by -2 is 8
\n" ); document.write( "so $\"x+=+8\"$
\n" ); document.write( "now check the answer by replacing x with 8 in the original equation. \n" ); document.write( "

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