SOLUTION: Please help us with this problem: We are stumped -40-(2x+5)=-61 Thank you!

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

Found 2 solutions by doukungfoo, edjones:
Answer by doukungfoo(195) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
-40-%282x%2B5%29=-61
First to do is simplify the equation by removing the parentheses.
This is done by using the distributive property.
-%282x%2B5%29 equals -1%282x%2B5%29
so you have to multiply %282x%2B5%29 by -1
Now the equation looks like this:
-40-2x-5=-61
Next combine like terms. So -40 combines with -5 to become -45 like so:
-45-2x=-61
Next move all the terms with x to one side of the equal sign and
all terms without x to the opposite side of the equal sign.
To this add 45 to both sides of the equal sign like so:
-45%2B45-2x=-61%2B45
-2x=-16
Now to solve for x divide both sides of the equal sign by -2
%28-2x%29%2F%28-2%29=%28-16%29%2F%28-2%29
-2x divided by -2 leaves x and -16 divided by -2 is 8
so x+=+8
now check the answer by replacing x with 8 in the original equation.

Answer by edjones(8007) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
-40-(2x+5)=-61
get rid of parenthesis: -40-2x-5=-61
combine: -2x-45=-61
add 45 to both sides:-2x=-16
divide -2 into each side: x=8
Check:
-40-(16+5)=-61
-40-21=-61
Ed