Question 638056
To solve this equation, use the distributive property to multiply 5 by (x-4):

5(x-4) = 5x - 20

You will then have:

5x - 20 - 1 = -7x + 3

Combine -20 and -1 by adding:

5x - 21 = -7x + 3

Now, you want to get x all by itself, so to do that, subtract 5x from both sides of the equal sign:

-5x + 5x - 21 = -7x - 5x + 3

Combine like terms on both sides:

-21 = -12x + 3

We still want to get x all by itself, so we will subtract 3 to both sides of our equation:

-3 - 21 = -12x + 3 - 3

Combine like terms:

-24 = -12x

To get the x by itself once and for all, divide both sides of the equation by -12:

-24/-12 = -12x / -12

2 = x

So, x = 2

To check this answer, just substitute 2 for x in your equation:

5(2-4)-1=-7(2)+3

5(-2)-1=-14+3

-10 - 1 = -11

-11 = -11

Since both sides of the equal sign are the same, x = 2 works, and is our final answer